About Us

Lani serves as the Executive Director of Patriot K9s, a role he has held since 2021. His journey with the organization began as a volunteer, working alongside a dedicated team while managing operations at a local trucking company. Lani’s exceptional leadership and passion for service quickly propelled him into the Executive Director position, where he continues to champion the organization’s mission of providing service dogs to disabled veterans.

A proud United States Marine and former member of the Wisconsin Army National Guard, enlisting at the age of 17. Although too young to fulfill his dream of becoming a K9 handler, Lani’s determination led him to train as a Motor Transport Maintenance third and fourth echelon mechanic. His expertise in working on tactical vehicles took him to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and Naval Air Station Dallas, Texas. A tireless overachiever, Lani expanded his service by becoming a Safety NCO and Inspector Instructor Staff.

After completing his military service, Lani transitioned to the transportation industry in Wisconsin, where he built a diverse career spanning mechanic, driver, dispatcher, and operations manager. His versatile experience in the field has further honed his leadership and problem-solving abilities.

Lani has been a lifelong dog enthusiast, with a rich history of owning, training, and caring for a variety of breeds, including Dobermans, German Wirehaired Pointers, Huskies, three wolf hybrids, and Beagles. However, his true passion lies with the German Shepherd Dog—he currently owns four titled dogs in the sport of Schutzhund. As an active member of the O.G. Inselstadt Schutzhund Club, Lani also serves as Vice President, where he contributes to the development and promotion of canine sport and training excellence.

As a dedicated father to three daughters, Lani is proud that his legacy of service continues through his family. One of his daughters followed in his footsteps by serving in the United States Marine Corps, and his two younger daughters have also enlisted, carrying forward the proud tradition of Marine Corps service in their family.

Lani’s vast experience in both military and civilian sectors, his passion for K9 training, and his unwavering dedication to serving others make him a respected leader in the community.

For inquiries, Lani can be contacted via email at info@patriotk9s.org.

A graduate of Auburn University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal and Dairy Sciences, Catie brings more than 30 years’ experience as a veterinary assistant and over 50 years of handling dogs to her job at Patriot K9s of Wisconsin.

She has titled dogs in both AKC obedience and Schutzhund BH, and trained with a non-profit service dog group in OK before moving to WI in 2020. She is an AKC CGC evaluator and certified in canine first aid and CPR.

Raised with collies, Catie also counts corgis, German Shepherds, and Belgian Tervurens among the breeds she’s owned and trained. Currently, she has one GSD, a Belgian Tervuren which is retired from the police force (ask her about the travails of taking a retired drug dog into a store . . ..) and a young Belgian Tervuren she is training as her own service dog.

Terese is our Paws 4 Patriots Training Manager at Redgranite State Correctional Institution. Her role is to supervise the training program there as well as facilitate veterinary care of the puppies raised at RGCI.

She is a retired professor from the biology department at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. She served for many years as the faculty advisor of the UWSP Veterans Club.

Terese has been training dogs for more than 25 years and has titled dogs in UKC agility and AKC obedience. She is on her fourth therapy dog registered with Therapy Dogs International, Inc. She teaches therapy dog preparation classes and is a TDI evaluator and AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator. She has experience as a puppy raiser for Paws with a Cause, and was a volunteer for many years for Golden Retriever Rescue of Wisconsin. She is active in search and rescue and is a member of Wisconsin K9 SOS with two of her three dogs, one of which is certified for live-find and the other certified for human remains detection.

Terese refers to herself as a member of “team floppy ear,” having raised and owned predominantly retriever breeds. She is currently owned by two Golden Retrievers, and a Flat-coated Retriever, plus one cat.

She comes from a military background, with two siblings who are career military. She is the proud wife of a combat Vietnam veteran who served in the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division as a UH-I crew chief and door gunner.

Arnold is the Veterans Liaison of Patriot K9s. He has just started with the organization. He has been with the program since 2020 when he entered to train his service dog, Creek.

Arnold served his country for 30 years from 1990 -2020, in the United States Army and the Wisconsin Army National Guard. He started as a Combat Engineer (12B), forced over to Infantry (11B), then finished off his career as Field Artillery (13B). After being separated from the military for medical reasons, he was able to find purpose and healing in Creek.

Arnold has been around and owned dogs from an early age. He has owned St. Bernards, Boxer, Husky/Wolf mix, Italian (Segugio Italiano / Cirneco dell’ Etna (Both hound) mix) and German Shepherds.

Arnold lives with his wife, has one daughter and three grandkids.

Susie is a Sales & Marketing Executive with over 20 years of diverse industry experience. Driven by a desire to work for a company that makes a difference in the world, she joined the team at PK9’s as the Strategic Business Manager in December of 2023. She works collaboratively with the Executive Director, Board of Directors, fellow staff members, and volunteers helping to strategically direct the organization to accomplish its mission.

Susie’s education includes an associate degree in marketing, a bachelor’s in business, and a master’s in biotechnology from U.W. Madison. She formerly served as an AmeriCorps Member running a youth center in a rural community. Her work history includes both corporate and nonprofit experience, as well as entrepreneurial ventures. She is grateful to have a career focused on serving our Veterans.

Sarah is a Trainer and Veteran Coordinator at Patriot K9s of Wisconsin. She joined the organization in December of 2023 and works closely with both the training staff and the veteran liaison to assist with various aspects of the program.

Before joining Patriot K9s, Sarah worked as an Emergency Medical Technician and Firefighter for several years. However, she decided to pursue her passion for animals and became a professional dog groomer and trainer.

Sarah’s interest in working with veterans stems from her husband’s experiences. She has witnessed firsthand the daily struggles that veterans face and the significant impact a service dog can have on their lives.

Sarah has worked with numerous breeds and temperaments throughout her life and currently shares her home with a black Lab and a handful of children.

Sean served in the US navy as a Rescue Swimmer and then reclassed to Corpsman.

He received his first German Shepherd the day he was born and has been working with dogs ever since. Sean is a Master Dog Trainer through both Jim Fonseca Working Dogs in California and Top Tier K9 in Florida. He holds a degree in animal behavior and is the co-founder and Director of Training for Crossroads K9 rescue as well as the Owner and Lead Trainer of Central Wisconsin K-9.

Currently Sean has 3 German Shepherds, 1 French Bulldog, 1 Anatolian Shepherd, 4 Dutch Shepherds, and 3 Belgian Malinois of his own. He Lives with his significant other Heather and between them they have 3 children and 2 grandchildren.