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EmpowerPups™
by Hero's Puppy for Life™
A SERVICE DOG TRAINING ORGANIZATION
Our Directors
Frank Griggs
Chairman & CEO, Founder
Frank Griggs is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served two tours in Vietnam and was awarded the Purple Heart Medal. Since the organization’s inception, Frank has helped shape the mission and training philosophy of Hero’s Puppy for Life, drawing from both personal experience and professional expertise. He is a Certified Advanced Canine Training Professional and Certified Canine Training and Behavior Specialist, committed to building powerful human-canine bonds that promote healing. Before launching into nonprofit work, Frank spent 28 years as a corporate trainer in the insurance industry, bringing leadership and teaching skills that now benefit HPFL’s training programs. Frank holds a Graduate of Theology degree from Baptist Bible College West in Denver—an education that continues to fuel his passion for “Helping to Heal Wounded Souls… One Puppy at a Time.” His first service dog, Maximus Amicus Bodidlius “Bo,” was the first graduate of HPFL’s training model. After more than nine years of loyal service, Bo is now enjoying retirement. Frank’s current partner, Magnus Severus, a young Standard Poodle, is following in Bo’s paw prints as he begins his own service journey. Frank lives in Colorado with his wife, Therese. Together, they have two grown children and one grandson.
Franc Reed
Finance Officer
Franc Reed is a U.S. Army Vietnam Combat Veteran who proudly served his country during one of its most challenging eras. After his military service, Franc built a career in both business and public service. He worked as a Territory Staff Manager for Thom McAn shoe company before joining the U.S. Postal Service, where he served as a dedicated letter carrier for over 20 years. He retired in 2015. Franc’s journey with Hero’s Puppy for Life began when he was paired with Sasha, the second puppy to graduate from the Veteran’s Puppy for Life program. They’ve been inseparable for over eight years. “She has actually been a life saver for me. I can’t imagine what my life would be without her.” Franc is deeply committed to HPFL’s mission because of the transformation he experienced firsthand—and the changes he’s witnessed in others. “One veteran I met struggled with severe PTSD. He stuttered so badly he couldn’t complete a sentence, and his wife had to drive him everywhere. After ten months with his puppy, he was smiling, speaking clearly, and even driving himself to training sessions.” Franc serves on the board to help ensure HPFL continues its life-changing work for Veterans living with PTSD. These days, Franc embraces his favorite role yet—full-time grandfather to five grandchildren.
Jodie D'Onofrio
Secretary
Jodie earned the nickname “animal whisperer” at a young age. Growing up, she spent her time training dogs and rehabilitating a variety of animals, discovering early on that meaningful bonds lead to remarkable cooperation. That belief continues to shape her work today. For over 15 years, Jodie has worked with individuals with special needs—a role that resonates deeply with her own life experiences. She holds a Master of Science in Special Education, Research Methods, and Applied Behavior Analysis from Penn State University, where she found a unique way to combine her passions. Her original thesis explored clicker training for service dogs, a technique closely aligned with the methods used at Hero’s Puppy for Life. Jodie’s professional and personal lives often intertwine. Her trusted dog, Leo, frequently joins her during client sessions, providing calm companionship and a model for effective dog-human partnerships. One of her clients, inspired by Leo, has since acquired a service dog puppy—with Jodie continuing to support their journey. “There’s nowhere else in the country I’d rather be training dogs—I’ve looked. The values at HPFL allow dogs and their people to bond from the start, growing and learning together. Dogs thrive when their instincts, drive, and sensory strengths are respected and nurtured through a research-based approach.” Jodie has a deep respect for the potential that exists between humans and dogs, and few things bring her more joy than watching that bond develop—or experiencing it herself with Leo.
Malachi Pride
Director
Hello, my name is Malachi. I am a professional dog trainer who has been involved with Hero's Puppy for Life Organization ever since we first started out. I love training dogs and helping people as much as I can. It's an honor to be a part of this organization that helps people reclaim their lives through the and dedication of owning and training a service animal. I am so thankful I was able to meet and work with Frank. I hope to help EmpowerPups by Hero's Puppy for Life grow so we can spread the love that puppies bring to everyone who needs it.
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Leonard Tardiff
Director
I have been married for 22 years and the father of three; all of which are not young adults. After High School I enlisted in the United States Marines where I served 20 years in the in Infantry. During that time, I had the privilege of serving in all 4 Marine Corps Divisions with multiple deployments, both combat and non-combat. I was among the first deployed after September 11 th and was in Kandahar Afghanistan by December 2001. I also deployed to Iraq on and off between 2006 and 2009; where I was wounded by in IED in November of 2006. I chose to continue serving my community by enrolling in the Troops to Teachers program and transitioned into the Education Field. I taught Social Studies in Middle School before returning to school for an Administrators License. I have and continue to coach Wrestling; I support sports and special programs like the Athletic Director and the Before & After School Programs Coordinator. Teaching was my new mission. Before my service dog, there was not much else in my life other than home with family and work. I hesitated to go out and do much as little else interested me anymore. After I was paired with Hudson and the training we completed, I resisted outgoingness less. I looked forward to getting out of the house more and began trying to be more sociable with the strangers I met in public again. I am still on edge and always on alert when I am out, but I am more relaxed and less stressed. My wife has agreed, there is a piece of me that has returned whom she has not seen since my first combat deployment. While I don’t always recognize the change, those around me can and did almost immediately, which is why I am passionate about the mission of Hero Puppy’s and want them to help as many others as possible.
Johna Olio
Director
Johna's Bio Coming Soon
Travis Mowers
Director
A proud Colorado native, Travis Mower’s life has been shaped by service, leadership, and a deep commitment to helping others. Raised in Arvada and a graduate of Pomona High School, Travis enlisted in the U.S. Army following the events of September 11th. He went on to serve eight years in the infantry, including deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan. After returning home, Travis earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from Metropolitan State University of Denver. He spent over a decade in retail, rising through senior leadership roles and sharpening his skills in management, mentorship, and customer service. Today, Travis serves as a mortgage loan officer, helping individuals and families—especially fellow Veterans—navigate the path to homeownership. He is passionate about educating others on VA loan benefits and takes pride in supporting first-time homebuyers on their journey to financial independence and stability. Travis brings his unique blend of military discipline, business acumen, and heartfelt service to the mission of Hero’s Puppy for Life. His personal commitment to Veterans’ well-being aligns seamlessly with HPFL’s vision of healing through canine companionship. In his free time, Travis enjoys being outdoors, especially hiking Colorado’s mountain trails alongside his loyal dog, Kylo.
Todd Huettner
Director Emeritus
As a dog lover and supporter of Veterans, he is a great addition to our Board of Directors with a sincere desire to see our organization grow into a premier PTSD Service Dog training program. Todd lives in Denver, Colorado with his wife Jill and their three sons. An active member of the community, he has volunteered for many organizations including Junior Achievement and is the Chairman of the Denver Lambda Chi Alpha Alumni Association. He has a passion for positive coaching and has volunteered as a youth sports coach for 15 years through organizations from the YMCA to the Arapahoe Youth League, South East Denver Baseball, and the Catholic School Athletic League. He is President of Huettner Capital, a residential real estate mortgage lender located here in Denver. An active member of the business community, he is a member of many local business organizations. As a nationally recognized real estate and personal finance expert, he is frequently quoted in the business press and conducts financial wellness workshops for various groups and employers both public and private. Prior to moving to Denver in 2000, Todd grew up in Oklahoma. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a BA in Economics and an MBA. Todd's focus is on recruiting human, technical, and financial capital to establish our remote training program to significantly increase the reach of our services to Veterans across the state.