Missouri Patriot Pals - Founder / Program Director

Susan Hinkle

Susan first became involved in working with therapy dogs by taking her own therapy dogs to local schools, universities, nursing homes, and medical facilities. Currently, Susan has four dogs. Two being registered therapy dogs. Her golden retriever, named Ryder, has been working at Phelps Health for four years as a therapy dog and working with students at Mark Twain Elementary School on reading skills. There is Biscuit, a Labradoodle, who visits University of Missouri Science and Technology students. She also played the role of Sandy in the Fine Linen Production of Annie in the spring of 2025. There is Max, a Woodle, that is a therapy dog in training, and the older lady, Sgt. Rags, a goldendoodle, that prefers the quiet country life.​

Susan is involved with a local therapy dog group called Paw Prints Missouri. This group’s therapy dogs visit elementary schools in Rolla, Fort Leonard Wood, Bourbon, Vienna, St. James, Steelville, and Washington, MO.  Also, hospitals, hospice care, the USO at Fort Leonard Wood, the Missouri Veterans Home in St. James, and the University of Missouri Science and Technology. Paw Prints Missouri’s goal is to bring together caring individuals who share their special animals to spread happiness to people of all ages.

Susan has been a Tester/Observer for Alliance of Therapy Dogs Incorporated for the last 30 years. As a Tester/Observer, she has tested approximately 100 dogs that have become registered therapy dogs with Alliance of Therapy Dogs, Inc. The goal of Alliance of Therapy Dogs, Inc. is to provide registration, support, and insurance for members who are involved in volunteer animal-assisted activities. These activities include, but are not limited to: visits to hospitals, special needs centers, schools, and nursing homes.

For the past 30 years, Susan has been working with dogs, veterans, and first responders.​

Susan started working with two Texas-based non-profits in 2011 to train and certify Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder/Traumatic Brain Injury (PTSD/TBI) service dog teams.

Susan considers Missouri Patriot Pals (formerly Missouri Patriot Paws) a ministry and is grateful to God for the opportunity to serve Missouri veterans and first responders. She finds immense joy in transforming a stray dog with no one to care for it into a trained service dog in under a year! Ultimately, helping save the life of a veteran or first responder. Susan is touched and grateful for the generosity of all the groups stepping up to help raise funds for Missouri Patriot Pals.

Founder - Susan Hinkle & Vice President - Kelly Brownfield

Kelly Brownfield is a lifelong champion for the healing power of animals and the transformative impact they can have on the heroes who serve others. A proud military brat raised across Germany, Kelly grew up understanding sacrifice, resilience, and the invisible burdens carried by service members and their families, lessons that shaped her commitment to creating comfort, connection, and hope for others.

Kelly currently serves as the Executive Director of the Armed Services YMCA of Missouri, where she leads programs and partnerships dedicated to strengthening military families and addressing the unique challenges of military life. Her work continues a career devoted to serving those who serve and building meaningful connections between the military and the surrounding community.

Her passion for animal-assisted support evolved into purpose in 2015 when she launched what became one of the nation’s most recognized military therapy dog initiatives, the USO Canine Program. Alongside her beloved Great Danes Bandit, Maverick, and Apache, Kelly helped demonstrate the extraordinary impact therapy dogs can have within military communities. Her canine partners became nationally recognized for their service, including Maverick being named the 2023 American Humane Hero Dog of the Year. Together, their work helped expand the reach of animal-assisted support and created a legacy that continues today.

Following the loss of Bandit, Maverick, and Apache, that legacy lives on through Bandit’s Brigade: The Legacy Continues and the newest members of Kelly’s family, Huey and Valor. Both Great Danes are currently in training, preparing to carry forward a mission built by the incredible dogs who came before them. Kelly is incredibly proud to watch the next chapter unfold as Huey and Valor learn what it means to provide comfort, connection, and unconditional support to others.

As Vice President of Missouri Patriot Pals, Kelly also plays a vital role in strengthening access to trained service and therapy dogs for veterans, first responders, and individuals facing physical or emotional challenges. Her leadership supports efforts to restore independence, connection, and the comforting reassurance that no one has to walk alone.

Her work has brought therapy and service dogs into hospitals, schools, remembrance ceremonies, military communities, and outreach events throughout the region. Whether escorting Gold Star children through Arlington National Cemetery, comforting military families, supporting veterans, or simply providing a quiet paw and reassuring presence during a difficult moment, Kelly and her canine partners demonstrate what it means to serve with heart.

Beyond her organizational leadership, Kelly is an active community advocate, serving on boards, collaborating with military and civic partners, and mentoring others who seek to create programs that strengthen both people and communities. She believes deeply in teamwork, shared mission, and the profound bond between people and the animals who help heal them.

Above all, Kelly is motivated by the heroes she serves, both two-legged and four-legged and by a mission grounded in compassion, purpose, service, and the unwavering belief that animals change lives.

Kelly Brownfield