About Us

Mary Sue has a calling to and deep passion for supporting non-profit organizations. Her volunteer service includes eighteen years of fundraising and event planning, sixteen years on the Board of Directors, and nine years of administering and managing financial assets and liabilities.

She owned and loved two extensively trained personal protection Malinois. Both dogs were trained in handler protection and Mary Sue has spent the last seven years maintaining their training by advancing their skills in tracking and advanced obedience. More than just a hobby, she and her dogs have prepared for and competed in advanced training events. Mary Sue enjoys the close bond she and her dogs have from their hours of working and training together. Through these experiences, she has gained a thorough understanding of the high level of commitment it takes to maintain the working line Malinois.

Mary Sue is the daughter of a Marine who did two tours in Vietnam. She is also the mother of two boys, her oldest a retired Navy Nuke and youngest working towards becoming a police officer.

Jim has been involved with the Wisconsin Guardian Foundation since the beginning, serving on the Board and as a member of the service dog program. He truly values the activities, gatherings, and the deep sense of gratitude for the friendships that have grown through his involvement with WGF. Nothing brings him more joy than watching the bond that forms between service dogs and their handlers as they become a true team.

With over 20 years of combined experience at Milwaukee Tool and Briggs & Stratton, Jim has supported efforts to improve strategies and processes that help teams succeed. For more than 20 years, he has also been dedicated to volunteering and supporting AODA initiatives, promoting awareness and recovery efforts within the community.

Jim enjoys spending time with his growing family—he’s looking forward to welcoming his third grandchild—and pursuing his passion for custom motorcycle building, riding, and tinkering in the Garage Mahal. Jim finds real joy in helping and mentoring others, as well as spending time with family and friends. His dedication to family, friends, work, and volunteer efforts reflects his commitment to making a positive impact in every part of his life.

Vicky is a daughter of an Air Force / Air National Guard father who served 38 years for our country. She lived and went to school overseas, so she has lived the military life. Vicky has seen firsthand the effects that severe PTSD had on her father, and feels it is very important to support our veterans in all the various challenges they face.

Vicky has volunteered and served on various non-profit boards throughout her adult life. She learned of the Wisconsin Guardian Foundation through Jissiffany Canine Services where her German Shepherd Fritz was trained. From there she learned how she could volunteer to help veterans by joining forces with the Wisconsin Guardian Foundation, and soon thereafter was asked to serve on the Board of Directors.

Vicky is the mother of a son who served in the Army, and a grandmother. She truly enjoys serving others and is committed to helping our veterans and first responders in any way she can. Vicky lives in Wisconsin along with her two German Shepherds.

Wayne was in the Marine Corps from 1990-1994, first stationed in Corona, CA at Naval Air Station North Island with Security Forces and then in Jacksonville, NC at Camp LeJeune with my infantry unit also playing rugby for the Marines. In December 1998 he began his law enforcement career with the City of Burlington here in Wisconsin and in August of 2001 moving onto the Walworth County Sheriff's Office located in Elkhorn, WI. It is here that his advanced my military skills in being a unified tactics instructor began training many over my nearly 23 years at the county. He also was on our SWAT team for 19 years, with his last assignment as a team sniper. In 2010 Wayne was awarded the WI ASP (Wisconsin Association of SWAT Personal) SWAT Officer of the Year. On December 13, 2023; with the assistance of Jessiffany Canine, Wayne received his service dog KC, which has been a huge lifesaver for him. KC is a Belgian Malinois and came into the US from the Netherlands.



Wayne is very honored to be associated with Wisconsin Guardian Foundation and being the Director of the Service Dog Program.

Debra is a mom of three amazing men and a pack of Labradors. Her sons are Jack (28), Ben (27), and Max (22). She became involved in the dog world as a labrador enthusiast and quickly became obsessed with training and competing with retrievers. She had the honor of owning an amazing dog which her husband named Five Star General Patton. Deb and Patton traveled the USA and competed together, achieving many great accomplishments and making beautiful memories and amazing friends. Patton won the National Retriever Championship in 2003, which quickly led Deb into a second career as a labrador breeder. She is still breeding Patton puppies and has trained and certified two of them as working explosive detection dogs.

Dan is a husband to a current Sheriff’s Deputy who within the last 3 years became a K9 handler. Dan grew up with family members in the military and has always had a strong belief in supporting our military and first responders. Through his wife’s new role as a K9 handler, Dan was introduced to both Jessiffany Canine Services and the cause of the foundation. In discovering this avenue to support the Veterans and First Responder communities, he felt that it was important to stay involved and support those that give up so much for us and our freedoms.

Billye has been dedicated to supporting veterans for most of her life. Her journey began as a child, assisting her Vietnam Veteran father with events at the local American Legion. This early exposure fostered a lifelong passion for advocating for those who have served.

As an adult, Billye has brought her commitment to veterans into her career as a global HR leader in the corporate world. She has successfully launched multiple Veteran Employee Resource Groups, championed the implementation of the DoD SkillBridge program, and actively promoted volunteerism and charitable giving to local veteran organizations.

Billye resides in Wisconsin with her husband, a dedicated first responder, their two children, and their two dogs. In both her personal and professional life, Billye continues to honor and support those who have served our country.