Service Dogs Saving Veterans' Lives Presentation

About the Panelists

Jason Haag
CEO & Founder
Leashes of Valor

Captain Jason Haag spent 13 years in the United States Marine Corps, including two tours in Iraq, conducting frontline operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom, as well as Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, retiring as a Marine Corps Captain. After sustaining a machine gun injury and multiple traumatic brain injuries (TBI) during service, Captain Haag struggled with the after effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), leading him to be medically retired after numerous combat tours to Iraq and Afghanistan.  In 2012 Captain Haag contacted an organization that provides warriors with service dogs. Within 7 months of applying Captain Haag was paired with his post-battle buddy and lifesaver, a service dog named Axel. Since experiencing the firsthand benefits of service dogs, Captain Haag has toured the country, educating policymakers, warrior organizations and warriors on the importance of service dogs for military warriors. He has been featured on over 50 news outlets including CNN and FOX News, and has been invited to speak publicly at Academic Institutions, Veterans Service Organizations, as well as Congressional briefings. Captain Haag has played an integral role in the creation of new laws regarding the acceptance of service canines in public establishments in Virginia and Florida.

Danique Masingill
President & Founder
Leashes of Valor

Danique Masingill is a United States Navy Veteran, and an advocate serving the warrior and military community. Danique served honorably from 2002 to 2007 as a Master at Arms Second Class and Protective Service Agent. Throughout her time in the service, she operated as a combat Coxswain instructor for harbor security certifying Second Fleet vessels and managing harbor security. Danique’s duty stations included Naval Weapons Station Charleston, the USS John F. Kennedy and the Naval Station Mayport. Over the past three years, Danique has become very active within the warrior and working dog communities as an advocate. In 2013, Danique earned a bachelor’s degree in European history and German literature and linguistics from Syracuse University, using the Post-9/11 GI Bill. She went on to complete her Executive MPA at the Syracuse University Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs in 2014. Additional certifications include a graduate certificate in conflict resolution for service dog policy and warriors with PTSD and a graduate certificate in security studies from the Institute for National Security and Counter Terrorism.

For more information, please contact:
Gabrielle Santulli
Director, Office of Research & Innovation Jefferson College of Nursing
Phone: 215-503-9115
Email: gabrielle.santulli@jefferson.edu