Veterans carry a special place in our hearts!
Battle Buddies was started in 2012 by John and Jo Anne Creed. John, a Marine Veteran who is disabled and Jo Anne originally started by volunteering as puppy raisers for other organizations for mobility disabilities. After meeting several veterans with PTSD and traumatic brain injuries in their state of South Carolina, they saw a need for service dogs and Battle Buddies was born.
It all started with one puppy named Camouflage and has grown ever since. Through the generosity of breeders, Battle Buddies starts training puppies at 8 weeks old until they are placed around 18 months. They also rely on puppy raiser families to socialize puppies during that time and take them to obedience training and all their medical visits. Veterans are matched with their battle buddy half way through the puppies training to start the bond.
Through fundraising and donations, Battle Buddies has continued to grow to place more service dogs with needy veterans each year. The goal of Battle Buddies is to return the veteran to civilian life with independence.
Testimonials
Mickey has helped my anxiety tremendously. He has helped me more than any medication that I have tried. He is a loyal and trusted friend
Roger Carpenter
I have witnessed life saving changes accomplished in veterans through Battle Buddies’ mission; it’s moving and inspiring. John and Jo Anne develop long-lasting personal relationships with the veterans they help transition back to civilian life. It’s a blessing to work alongside them.
Erica Woods
Adams… A friend, companion, loving, funny and a Best friend. He saved me from awful thoughts of my PTSD. I can describe him in one word… Faithful
Edward Palmer
Meet our Team
Passionate about our Battle Buddies
Jo Anne Creed
Director/Founder
Jo Anne Creed is the Director and Founder of Battle Buddies along with her husband John Creed. Jo Anne is the proud mom of four children and one grandson. She received her Bachelor of Science from Georgian Court University. After working for several service dog organizations Jo Anne and her husband felt led to start Battle Buddies to focus on veterans suffering with PTSD and traumatic brain injuries.
John Creed
Founder
John Creed founded Battle Buddies with his wife Jo Anne Creed in 2012. John is a Marine Corp Veteran serving in the Air Wing. His passion for Veterans and love of dogs led to the creation of Battle Buddies.
He is proud dad of four children and one grandson.
Jeanna Smith
Puppy Raiser Director/Head Trainer
Jeanna is a current senior at Clemson University, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Graphic Communications with a minor in Animal and Veterinary Science. Her journey with Battle Buddies began during her freshman year when her love for animals and helping others intersected. Since joining the team, she has raised three Battle Buddies pups: Lucy, Poppy, and Ryland. Her passion extends beyond raising puppies, as she also enjoys recruiting the dedicated puppy raisers, sitters, and club volunteers who are the heart of the organization. Jeanna plans to continue making a positive impact on the lives of veterans by expanding the Clemson club and raising awareness across campus.
Michael Huppmann
Chairman
Mike, raised in Syracuse, NY, has dedicated his life to fire and emergency management. In 2018, Mike and his wife, Susan, relocated to South Carolina where they reside today. He is a proud father of three children and 2 granddaughters. Mike’s family has a strong military history, with his father and uncles being veterans themselves. His youngest son, Justin, a veteran of the United States Marine Corps., even has his own Battle Buddies service dog named “Chai”. Inspired by his family’s military background, Mike is committed to supporting those who have served and sacrificed so much for our country through the Battle Buddies organization.
Jacob H. Dippold
Vice Chairman
Jake is a business attorney dedicated to strategic advocacy and client success. A Syracuse native, he graduated from Wofford College in 2021, where he was a Division I baseball captain, and earned his law degree from Elon University in 2023. Licensed in South Carolina, the U.S. District Court, and the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, his practice focuses on business law, non-profits, commercial real estate, and business litigation.
Active in the community, Jake serves on local boards, was named one of Sumter’s Top 10 Under 40 in 2024, and is Honorary Commander for the 20th Security Forces Squadron at Shaw AFB. He also referees SCISA basketball, leads ministries at Alice Drive Baptist Church, and mentors young athletes. In his free time, he enjoys golf, hunting, jiu-jitsu, and sports. Jake published Mentally Tough Christians in 2024, with a second book, Sincerely, Hank, set for release in 2025.
John Adams
Board Member
In the year 2004, John created Hawthorne Holding group (HHG). HHG operates eight full-service restaurants, and develops and manages a number of real estate within the Charlotte, NC region. Prior to HHG, he was a trained mental health counselor for the State of North Carolina. During his tenure as a counselor, he had the privilege of working with a number of patients on the mental health spectrum. John is a graduate of the State University of New York at Geneseo, where he majored in psychology. He currently lives in Charlotte, NC with his wife, Jaimee and their son, Finn Patrick.
Candice Matelski-Brady
Board Member
Candice Matelski-Brady is a retired Air Force Veteran, living in Asheville with her husband and their four sons. She has been partnered with her Battle Buddies service dog, Justice, for five years. She is an Executive Assistant for the Department of Veteran Affairs. With Justice’s support, Candice can increase her physical mobility and reduce her reliance on prosthetic devices as well as medications. Candice is dedicated to the improvement of the lives of Veterans like herself. As Justice’s handler, she advocates for workplace reasonable accommodations that support the successful employment of veterans with service animals. Candice has a BA in Anthropology from East Carolina University and an MA in Psychology from the University of Arizona Global Campus.
Luke Baunack
Board Member
Luke served 6 years in the US Air Force before he was medically retired due to wounds sustained on a deployment. He received Katie Mae, a Battle Buddies service dog, and his life changed for the better. He attributes a large amount of his healing and peace to Katie Mae, and his passion for the organization’s mission stems from his own transformative experience. Beyond his service, Luke finds joy in woodworking, gardening, restoring vintage tractors, and inspiring those around him.
