We are excited to be adding several Board Members this year. Stay tuned as we get them added here.
Matt Burgess: Ceo: CO Founder
Matt Burgess and Brinks
I served in the military for eight years with deployments to Bosnia, Macedonia and Iraq.
During those deployments I experienced 4 blast explosions creating Traumatic Brain Injury as well as a reaction to the Anthrax Vaccination resulting in 18 previously nonexistent medical conditions.
I was medically retired from the Military in 2006.Two years later, after losing my house, cars, and good credit rating I received a 100% permanent and total VA Disability Rating as well as Combat Related Special Compensation.
During 2012, while enrolled at UGA, my longtime pet of 15 years passed away. Consequently, I decided to go to Athens, GA animal shelter to see if I could find another dog to adopt. When I walked into the first kennel, a little fluffy brown and black bundle of fur ran up and started chewing my shoelaces almost like he was verbally pleading with me, PLEASE take me. I applied to rescue that little bundle of joy, which resulted in being approved despite a waiting list of six individuals in front of me who for reasons we now know didn’t adopt Brinks.
During his first year as an untrained pup Brinks immediately started waking me up at night and saving my life when I would take off my CPAP Mask and stop breathing; often up to thirteen times per minute.
In 2013 my Pet Dog Brinks, who was already doing lifesaving tasks for me elevated himself to an even higher level. While I was working on building a privacy fence, the wind blew a board hitting me in the head and knocked me unconscious. Brinks jumped an existing five foot wire fence, scratched on the neighbors door alerting her, jumped back over the fence, and I woke up to Brinks dropping my cell phone on my chest, and licking my face.
In that defining, powerful, transformative, lifesaving moment Brinks let me know what our life’s purpose was to be. We were to start a Service Dog Organization which would rescue dogs from shelters, and train them to be lifesaving, healing, medical instrument, service dogs for disabled Veterans at no cost to the Veteran. We were absolutely convinced we could not withhold the indescribable healing and empowerment we had experienced from this more than deserving population.
Subsequently, I found a South Carolina based service dog organization which stated they would train Brinks to be a service dog. During my time at this organization, I realized I had a gift for training and connecting with Canines. Therefore, I trained Brinks to be a Task Trained Service Dog consistent with The American with Disabilities Act in addition to becoming one of the organization's main trainers.
Consistent with the life purpose Brinks had previously shown me we co-founded Freedom Fidos in 2014. After receiving our IRS 501(C)(3),nonprofit approval rating in South Carolina Freedom Fidos spent two years there before moving the Organization to Georgia.
Fidos4Heroes( DBA Freedom Fidos) received our IRS 501(C)(3) approval rating in addition to our Georgia Corporation letter in September 2016.
Currently, since its inception five years ago, Freedom Fidos has created 42 Service Dog Teams. Our organization has watched our handlers go from home-bound to never home, deeply afraid to fearless, powerless to powerful, always sick to mostly well, deep despair to high hope, lonely to never alone, always dizzy to C’mon-lets get busy, isolated to thoroughly engaged, falling to the floor to standing strong, lying in the dark to blissful smiles at the theme park, misunderstood to a powerful voice, blending into a crowd to iconic, entitled to elevating, and loners to leaders. The countless resiliency stories of the human spirit which we witness on a repeated basis not only could fill a book, but also,constantly make every member of the Organization thank Brinks for being the first voice to let us know our calling and commission. This view we are afforded as we watch nature’s ultimate healers collaborate with the determination of our handlers to keep serving their communities provides us with a never ending sense of purpose and fulfillment in addition to an unquenchable desire to do more. We are committed to keep making a difference as we save the lives of Canines and Veterans.
I am honored to be:
an ordained Minister
Masonic Roles:
Chaplain of:
Rose Hill Lodge
Columbus-Ft Benning Shrine Club
Third District
Columbus, Ga, Sojourners
Worshipful Master Of Cross Lodge 173
Junior Warden at James E Miller Daylight Lodge
First Vice President of Columbus Ga National Sojourners
Worthy Patron at Ft Benning Chapter Order of the Eastern Star
Matt Burgess:
I served in the military for eight years with deployments to Bosnia, Macedonia and Iraq.
During those deployments I experienced 4 blast explosions creating Traumatic Brain Injury as well as a reaction to the Anthrax Vaccination resulting in 18 previously nonexistent medical conditions.
I was medically retired from the Military in 2006.Two years later, after losing my house, cars, and good credit rating I received a 100% permanent and total VA Disability Rating as well as Combat Related Special Compensation.
During 2012, while enrolled at UGA, my longtime pet of 15 years passed away. Consequently, I decided to go to Athens, GA animal shelter to see if I could find another dog to adopt. When I walked into the first kennel, a little fluffy brown and black bundle of fur ran up and started chewing my shoelaces almost like he was verbally pleading with me, PLEASE take me. I applied to rescue that little bundle of joy, which resulted in being approved despite a waiting list of six individuals in front of me who for reasons we now know didn’t adopt Brinks.
During his first year as an untrained pup Brinks immediately started waking me up at night and saving my life when I would take off my CPAP Mask and stop breathing; often up to thirteen times per minute.
In 2013 my Pet Dog Brinks, who was already doing lifesaving tasks for me elevated himself to an even higher level. While I was working on building a privacy fence, the wind blew a board hitting me in the head and knocked me unconscious. Brinks jumped an existing five foot wire fence, scratched on the neighbors door alerting her, jumped back over the fence, and I woke up to Brinks dropping my cell phone on my chest, and licking my face.
In that defining, powerful, transformative, lifesaving moment Brinks let me know what our life’s purpose was to be. We were to start a Service Dog Organization which would rescue dogs from shelters, and train them to be lifesaving, healing, medical instrument, service dogs for disabled Veterans at no cost to the Veteran. We were absolutely convinced we could not withhold the indescribable healing and empowerment we had experienced from this more than deserving population.
Subsequently, I found a South Carolina based service dog organization which stated they would train Brinks to be a service dog. During my time at this organization, I realized I had a gift for training and connecting with Canines. Therefore, I trained Brinks to be a Task Trained Service Dog consistent with The American with Disabilities Act in addition to becoming one of the organization's main trainers.
Consistent with the life purpose Brinks had previously shown me we co-founded Freedom Fidos in 2014. After receiving our IRS 501(C)(3),nonprofit approval rating in South Carolina Freedom Fidos spent two years there before moving the Organization to Georgia.
Fidos4Heroes( DBA Freedom Fidos) received our IRS 501(C)(3) approval rating in addition to our Georgia Corporation letter in September 2016.
Currently, since its inception five years ago, Freedom Fidos has created 42 Service Dog Teams. Our organization has watched our handlers go from home-bound to never home, deeply afraid to fearless, powerless to powerful, always sick to mostly well, deep despair to high hope, lonely to never alone, always dizzy to C’mon-lets get busy, isolated to thoroughly engaged, falling to the floor to standing strong, lying in the dark to blissful smiles at the theme park, misunderstood to a powerful voice, blending into a crowd to iconic, entitled to elevating, and loners to leaders. The countless resiliency stories of the human spirit which we witness on a repeated basis not only could fill a book, but also,constantly make every member of the Organization thank Brinks for being the first voice to let us know our calling and commission. This view we are afforded as we watch nature’s ultimate healers collaborate with the determination of our handlers to keep serving their communities provides us with a never ending sense of purpose and fulfillment in addition to an unquenchable desire to do more. We are committed to keep making a difference as we save the lives of Canines and Veterans.
I am honored to be:
an ordained Minister
Masonic Roles:
Chaplain of:
Rose Hill Lodge
Columbus-Ft Benning Shrine Club
Third District
Columbus, Ga, Sojourners
Worshipful Master Of Cross Lodge 173
Junior Warden at James E Miller Daylight Lodge
First Vice President of Columbus Ga National Sojourners
Worthy Patron at Ft Benning Chapter Order of the Eastern Star
Matt Burgess:
Brinks Burgess: Canine Co-founder-Hero, DOG
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Hi. My name is Brinks, and you may wonder why I wear a vest and get to go into restaurants and places other dogs aren’t allowed.
The vest means I’m working. Yes, I have a job, and the vest is my uniform. It’s like how police officers and firemen wear uniforms so that you know they are helping professionals you can turn to for and help. They’re people you can trust in emergencies. Maybe some of you wear uniforms to school as well. That’s because school is your job. Jobs aren’t just for grown-up humans. Jobs are all the responsibilities each one of has. Responsibilities are what we do to keep our world safe, clean, and livable. We also all have a responsibility to help others, people and animals alike. My dad first helped me when I was only a few months old. I was living in an animal shelter, which is kind of like school, except all the dogs and cats are kept in cages and not allowed to play outside. Some of us were found wandering alone in the streets, and others of us had families who didn’t want us. We were all orphan animals, hoping for a furrever family to adopt us and give us a home. Even though there were lots of other animals in the shelter, we didn’t get to play outside. We were there because our people families didn’t want us anymore, and for just a small pup, I couldn’t understand why someone had already decided to give me away and put me in such a miserable place. But I didn’t give up hope! I knew deep down that miracles happen and that I had a purpose. Like most puppies, my paws grew much faster than the rest of my body, and all I wanted to do was wag my tail, snuggle in someone’s arms, get belly rubs, and run and play on the grass I knew was outside the building. Finally the day came. A lonely man came to meet the dogs in the shelter. His sadness made him look older than he really was. I heard him say that he had gotten back from serving in the Army in Iraq and that his best buddy dog had recently passed away. His voice sounded so sad, and I just knew I could be the pal to make him smile and laugh again! I ran over and tugged at his shoelaces to let him know that I wanted to be his new buddy! I don’t know if it was my wiggle-waggle, my persistence at pulling those party streamers that kept his shoes on his feet, or something above and beyond my longing face, but I chose Matt, and Matt chose me. We needed each other. I made him laugh, and he would throw the tennis ball for me to catch for hours upon hours. I worked on flips and jumps to catch that ball! Who knows, maybe I could have been a puppy prodigy in the Olympics. Except I had a different calling, even though neither Matt nor I knew it yet. And that’s why we picked each other. You see, Matt had joined the Army as his job. He wanted to protect our country. And he did, for eight years. But in those years, Matt got really hurt. He was in four blast explosions and was finally discharged on full disability from the Veteran’s Administration. He had a pacemaker to help his heart keep beating. He has traumatic brain injuries (TBI). And his lungs are so damaged that he stops breathing an average of 13 times per minute. Now, I don’t have a medical degree, but I do know enough that if something living stops breathing, they ...well, they can’t stay alive. Even fish have gills to breathe. One afternoon Matt was working in his yard and was building a fence. A giant board hit his head, and he passed out. I couldn’t let anything happen to my dad! So I scaled the chain-link fence, barked until a neighbour came to her door and saw what had happened, jumped back over the fence, and dropped my dad’s phone on his chest by the time he regained consciousness. My dad said I saved his life and gave him a purpose again. We’re a team like that; we helped each other find purpose. A purpose is the reason someone does a job. A job is how someone fills his belly with food. A purpose is how someone fills his heart with a reason to wake up in the morning and keep breathing, even when the person feels so many struggles and so much pain that he might want to give up. That amount of fear without purpose is a scary place to be. You’ve probably seen service dogs helping people; usually they wear vests like I do. Maybe you’ve seen dogs helping people who are blind or in wheelchairs. It’s easy to see those disabilities. Most disabilities aren’t visible, though. They affect people on the inside. People sometimes tell my dad I can’t go into restaurants with him because he doesn’t look like he has a disability, so they don’t know how important we are to each other. I help my dad during the day by picking up things he’s dropped, finding things he’s misplaced (he loses things a lot!), licking him to ease his pain, and keeping him balanced if he stumbles. At the grocery store I can get the milk carton from the fridge and put it in the basket, and at home I even help with laundry. I can put clothes into the washing machine and then move them to the dryer once they’re clean, as long as my dad puts the soap in. I work at night as well. I sleep with my dad,curling myself up right by his neck,and wake him up every single time he stops breathing. My dad says he doesn’t know what he’d do without me, but I don’t know what I would do without him! Purpose is very important. Without purpose, it’s hard to dream. And without dreams, it’s hard to find purpose. My dad dreams big, and I’m always alongside him to help out! Together we started a nonprofit to rescue other shelter dogs and train them to be service dogs for other veterans. And now I also work by helping my dad train service dogs for other people, too. He takes me to the shelter so that I can help him decide which dogs will make good service dogs. One way we do this is by seeing which pups will play with a tennis ball for a long period of time. If a dog loses interest quickly and wanders off to see what other activities are going on, there’s a good chance that the dog won’t have the attention span to pay attention to training and to be alert with his or her person all day long. And that’s okay! Not every dog is meant to grow up to be a service dog, just like not every kid is meant to grow up to be a doctor or a lawyer. We want to help everyone, dogs and kids and adults (and yes, even cats!) alike learn to celebrate their own successes. Come on, how boring would the world be if we all had the exact same talents? Once we take a pup home, the training process can take up to two years! And the training process with vet bills, food, kennels, medicine, and time can easily cost $24,000, which is a LOT of money. Money that not many people can afford to spend. That’s why my dad’s purpose is extra extra extra special. Together we train dogs and match them with their humans, but unlike a lot of other organizations, we don’t charge the human families for the cost of the training. We understand that going through daily life with the pain--and often shame--of having a disability is stressful enough. We want to help alleviate stress, not cause more of it. This means, though, that we don’t get to train nearly as many dogs as we have heroes who need service partners because a lot of times we have to wait for groups of people or businesses to make donations. Donations can be money, volunteer time, dog food, building supplies, dog toys, leashes, collars, letter writing, event planning, medicines, fundraising, tech support, grooming expertise, machines to make taking care of the facility easier, and so much more! We always need help, and we are always so grateful for any help someone can give because there’s always a lot of work to do. All the dogs need at least four miles of exercise per day. And then all the poop has to be scooped up--believe me, dogs make a lot of poop!--so that diseases don’t spread. Dogs have to eat, water buckets have to be bleached, and kennels and dog runs have to be cleaned. Tired yet? Ready for a nap? Not quite yet. Only after ALL of that is done can we begin training dogs to do the daily tasks they will need to be able to carry out in order to help their particular humans. Much Love Brinks written by Jenny Millkey P.S. I have brought my dad back from several heart attacks when the human medical professionals couldn't, I am really proud of that. |
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Christiana Westbrook:
1976-1984: Us Army 91 B, Combat Medic 1985-1986: Washburn University Paramedic Training 1986-1988: EMS 1988-2008: Certified National Search and Rescue(using Canines):Activated to 1995 OKC Bombing 2008-2014: Private Dog Trainer: Lead Trainer-Educator at Petco, Myrtle Beach, SC 2015-2022: Co-Owner, Soldier Fencing, Myrtle Beach, SC 2023 to Death: Lead Dog Trainer at Freedom Fidos Testimonials: We love Christine! She trained out German Shorthair Pointer. She has so much knowledge and experience to give! Nani turned out to be such a well behaved dog. I would recommend her to train any of my dogs! April Boysel To Whom it Concerns, A few years back, I had adopted a lovely little mixed breed puppy. As she got bigger we could tell she was in fact mostly pit bull. Wanting to get ahead of the label pit bulls get, I wanted to enroll my girl into training classes. I enrolled my dog with Christine and ever since i have held any trainer to a higher standard because of her. She worked with my girl through each puppy class and even the adult classes we enrolled in after. To this day we receive compliments on how well trained she is and that her behavior is beyond well. Sandy (my pitbull) is now 8 and can still perform her training to an excellent standard. She can walk off leash and stay next to us, she sits on command and is not released until told, she does not jump and knows to wait to enter or exit the door until we say so. For having a breed with a label already put on her, the training Christine gave us and helped us achieve with her has made her life and ours so easy. We would not be where we are without the help and training received from Christine. I highly recommend Christine to train anyones companions, especially if you want results and to have a good time while getting them. Ashley Campofiori Christiana is an incredible dog trainer, I could not recommend her enough to anyone looking to have their pet trained. I have seen her work miracles on dogs of all sizes and all personalities. She builds their confidence and teaches them how to be an outstanding companion. She is so gifted with the understanding and knowledge of each dog she comes by, she’s the only one I’d trust with my dogs. -Michelle Cribb I have had the joy of watching several different dog trainers and their different styles, including myself. Just like every area of life they aren’t wrong or right, just different. I have had the joy of watching Christiana with the Freedom Fidos canines for three months, day in and day out. Watching her has brought me so much joy and heart smiles. I firmly believe working with and connecting with the canines are Christiana’s highest value, passion, and absolutely light her up. When she comes to me and reports what a canine did on any given day I immensely enjoy the huge smile on her face. Those moments become bright moments in my day. Recently I had surgery so I have not been able to play with my service dog Brinks, as much as I would like. Christiana brought her own “tug” and plays “tug” with Brinks . Seeing the joy and fun they both have during those moments have given be immeasurable and indescribable joy, happiness, and gratitude. Watching Christiania is some of the little, yet huge moments in life for me-that’s the good stuff. I am grateful Matt Burgess Freedom Fidos Ceo and Co-Founder |
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Maryann Barclay:
Originally from Long Branch, New Jersey, Maryann graduated from Widener University with a BA Degree in History in 1978. She moved to Columbus, Georgia in 1981 with her first husband to live and begin raising a family. Maryann initially worked in civil service as a museum aide at the old, National Infantry Museum on Fort Benning before beginning a long, teaching career as a high school social studies teacher with Muscogee County School District, Columbus, Georgia. Maryann taught at Carver HS, Hardaway HS and Columbus HS as well as serving in Staff Development as the MCSD HS Mentor Teacher. Retiring in 2016 after 32 years, Maryann worked as a benefits consultant for Aflac for 5 years before completely retiring in 2021.
Along with her current husband Pete, Maryann is active in the VFWA, MOPHA, DAV, American Legion, Order of the Eastern Star, and supports her husband in his numerous masonic and SAR organizations. Maryann is an active member of Saint Anne Catholic Church, and, in a blended family, shares 4 children, 7 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren with her husband Pete. Maryann enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren, their DAR and CAR activities, reading, counted cross-stitching, watching old movies, history, military history, her civic, military and veteran organizations, and traveling in her spare time. Maryann became a member of the Freedom Fidos Board of Directors in 2023.
Along with her current husband Pete, Maryann is active in the VFWA, MOPHA, DAV, American Legion, Order of the Eastern Star, and supports her husband in his numerous masonic and SAR organizations. Maryann is an active member of Saint Anne Catholic Church, and, in a blended family, shares 4 children, 7 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren with her husband Pete. Maryann enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren, their DAR and CAR activities, reading, counted cross-stitching, watching old movies, history, military history, her civic, military and veteran organizations, and traveling in her spare time. Maryann became a member of the Freedom Fidos Board of Directors in 2023.
Pete Barclay
CSM/(Ret.) Oren C. “Pete” Barclay
CSM/Retired “Pete” Barclay was originally born in Southwestern Pennsylvania and was raised on a farm in that area. He joined the United States Army at the age of seventeen. He received his initial training at the Armor School in Ft. Knox, KY and later the Basic Airborne Course at Ft. Benning, GA. His first assignment after training took him to the 82nd Airborne Division at Ft. Bragg, NC.
“Pete” then took a (short out) reenlistment option for assignment to the Republic of Vietnam as a Cavalry Scout. Upon arriving in Vietnam “Pete” was assigned to the B Troop, 1/10th Cavalry, 1st Field Force Vietnam. Later in his tour he was transferred to E Troop 2/11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in the area, of Vietnam, known as the Iron Triangle, and based out of Firebase Warrior in Phu Loi. On December 21st of 1971 he was severely wounded in combat and after clearing intensive care was sent to Valley Forge Army Hospital in Phoenixville, PA. After spending 13 months at the hospital Pete returned to full duty with the 101st MP Co. of the 101st Airborne Division. Along with this assignment Pete also served with the 572nd MP Co. Ft Ritchie, MD; the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (Old Guard); the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment; the 3rd Armored Division, FRG; U. S. Army Recruiting Command, Pittsburgh Recruiting Battalion, 10th MP Bn (OSUT)Senior Drill Sergeant; 1SG 25th MP Co., 25th Infantry Division; SGM Directorate of Training, U. S. Army Military Police School; and Command Sergeant Major of the 787th MP Battalion. He retired from the Army on November 30, 1991.
During his military career Pete was awarded various military awards such as the Purple Heart, 2 Meritorious Service Medals, Five Army Commendation Medals, an Army Achievement Medal, 7 Good Conduct Medals and various other service ribbons, the Basic Parachutist Badge, the Drill Sergeant Badge, the Recruiter Badge, and a foreign award of the German Military Efficiency Badge in (Gold).
Following his military career CSM Barclay was employed as a teacher and athletic coach for 14 years at the Talladega City School System at Talladega High School and 14 years as a teacher, Coach, and Athletic Director at the Talladega County School System at B. B. Comer Memorial High School. Mr. Barclay then retired again from teaching public education in June of 2019.
Mr. Barclay became a widower following his wife Shelley Jo Barclay’s death shortly after his retirement. Later in 2020 he met his current wife, and they were married in March of 2021 in Phenix City, Alabama and started life together in Columbus, Georgia. After moving to Columbus Pete and his wife Maryann became very active in several organizations including the Military Order of the Purple Heart, the VFW, DAV, American Legion, The 555th Parachute Infantry Association (the Triple Nickle) as well as several masonic organizations including Midland Lodge #144 F&AM, Scottish Rite and the Knights of Saint Andrew, York Rite Chapter/Counsel/Knights Templar, The National Sojourners and Heroes of 76, as well as the Sons of the American Revolution. Pete and his wife are members of Saint Anne’s Roman Catholic Church of Columbus.
Pete and his wife have a blended family of 2 Sons, 2 daughters, 6 Grandchildren and 4 Greatgrandchildren. He enjoys various hobbies such as reading, watching old movies, playing the guitar and trombone, and doing light wood working.
Pete is a graduate of the University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Science Degree, and he also holds 2 master’s Degrees and an Education Specialist Degree from Jacksonville State University of Alabama.
