Randy Dexter, a 2014 graduate of K9s For Warriors, has been named the campus director of the nonprofit’s new, second campus near Gainesville.
As an alumnus of the nation’s largest service dog provider for military veterans, Dexter will be the first graduate-turned-staff member to attain the role of director. Captain is Dexter’s service dog.
During undergraduate studies at University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), Dexter was president of the Student Veterans of America (SVA) group Rebel Vets, representing the 1,800 student veterans of the university. As Rebel Vets president, he helped lead veteran education policy change on state and federal levels, including education advocacy for veterans’ families.
In the state of Nevada, all legislation he advocated for was passed, including a bill to grant in-state tuition for children of fallen service members, and improve the way college credit is awarded for military training and education. Furthermore, Dexter represented UNLV at the 2018 SVA National conference, which is the largest annual gathering of student veterans in higher education in the world.
Additionally, Dexter travels to Washington, D.C., in partnership with K9s For Warriors executive staff to advocate for the Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers (PAWS) Act to push VA funding for service dogs. He’s also travelled there to represent other veterans support causes, such as Troops to Teachers, the STEP Act and more.
K9s For Warriors’ new training grounds is named the Gold Family Campus. Supported by Jacksonville's Gold Family, it will be used to train all female classes. The property includes a nine-bedroom, seven-bathroom house that sits on 67 acres, and is powered by $1 million worth of solar energy panels.
“This is a dream come true,” Dexter said. “In August 2014, I traveled to Florida as a warrior at the end of his rope. Captain and K9s For Warriors changed that. Now as we get ready to travel to Florida, it’s to help veterans and rescue dogs live happy, productive and meaningful lives. To me, there is no better job.”
K9s For Warriors CEO, Rory Diamond, represents the anticipation of the K9s staff in his welcoming of Dexter to lead future warrior classes.
“This campus feels like it was made for K9s For Warriors, and we all feel that Randy has built himself up to lead such an effort,” Diamond said. “We’re thrilled that Randy will be the campus director, and anticipate the Gold Family Campus helping manifest our goal to save more lives in 2018.”
