Semper K9 Assistance Dogs is pleased to announce Founder and Executive Director Christopher Baity has been named a Washingtonian of the Year by Washingtonian magazine. Calling honorees “local heroes,” the publication says the designation is “one of the highest honors our community bestows on people who make this a better place.”

Baity is an OIF combat veteran Marine Corps dog trainer and kennel master with three combat deployments, one civilian deployment to Afghanistan and two additional overseas deployments with military working dogs.

Driven by a desire to give back to America’s post 9/11 veterans, Baity and his wife Amanda launched Semper K9 in 2014. The nonprofit seeks to heal the wounds of war by training service dogs to provide physical and emotional support to U.S. Armed Forces veterans and their families. The dogs enrich and restore lives by assisting their owners with overcoming daily hurdles that are a result of physical and mental health challenges.

“I’m glad to be able to use my military experience to continue to help veterans,” said Baity. “Being honored by Washingtonian for these efforts is humbling and will help me continue to be an advocate for all veterans.”

Baity is one of ten honorees who will be recognized at a reception and luncheon January 11, 2018, at the Willard Intercontinental in Washington, D.C. Also being honored this year is;

  • Kathleen Bradley | Citybridge Education
  • Dr. Wayne Frederick | Howard University
  • James Foster | Anacostia Watershed Society
  • Bradley Graham & Lisa Muscatine | Politics & Prose
  • Brenda Rhodes Miller | DC Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy
  • Sara Milner | Sunflower Bakery
  • Max Stier | Partnership for Public Service
  • Senator Mark Warner | US Senate
  • Darlene Williamson | Stroke Comeback Center

“I’m grateful to be listed among the names of the other honorees,” Baity said. “We are all pioneers in our communities.”

To learn more about Semper K9, visit www.SemperK9.org.

 

About Semper K9 Assistance Dogs: Semper K9 Assistance Dogs is a combat veteran founded and operated 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides assistance dogs for wounded, critically ill and injured members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families. Christopher Baity, Semper K9’s Executive Director, is an OEF/OIF combat veteran Marine Corps dog trainer and kennel master with three combat deployments, one civilian deployment and two additional overseas deployments with military working dogs. To learn more about Semper K9 at www.SemperK9.org and follow them on social media: @SemperK9.