Brooke Schneider

Founder/President

Brooke Schneider is the founder and CEO of Hope Lives Here. Prior to pursuing her passion of working with Veterans and service animals, she was an elementary school teacher for 15 years. Brooke received her education from West Texas A&M University, where she played basketball on the women’s collegiate team. She has an undergrad in education and kinesiology, and a master’s degree in interdisciplinary studies. 

Her passion for animals began after she rescued a dog named Harley. Shortly after his death, she decided to use their story to help others. She attended Animal Behavior College and interned for Paws and Stripes in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 2016. 

In her position as CEO, Brooke is involved in the day-to-day activities at Hope Lives Here. She conducts the Veteran’s enrollment process, screens potential service dogs, and plays a key role in dog selection. Brooke is also the lead dog trainer. 

Brooke is an advocate for Veterans, shelter dogs, and children. She is very dedicated to serving others because of her Christian values. Her hobbies include writing children’s books, running, gardening, and reading. Brooke has three rescued dogs of her own, Annie, James and Memphis. 

Deborah Jobe

Office Manager

Deborah Jobe is the office manager at Hope Lives Here.  She was born and raised in Amarillo, Texas and comes from a long line of Veterans, including her late husband and son.  Her grandson is currently serving in the United States Marine Corp. 

She is a Life Member of the Auxiliary to Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1475 and has logged countless hours as a volunteer for the organization. She served two terms as President of the Auxiliary, and is currently Senior Vice President. Deborah also volunteers with Paralyzed Veterans of America Bass Tournaments. 

In her role as office manager, Deborah schedules training sessions, works with various sponsors, researches grants, maintains records, while managing the organization administratively. 

Deborah is excited to join Hope Lives Here, making lives better for Veterans and their service dogs. 

Carl Blanton II

Service Dog Trainer/IT Specialist

Hope Lives Here is proud to announce the latest addition to our team, Carl Blanton II. Originally from a small town located an hour south of Savannah, Georgia, Carl enlisted in the army just 13 days after completing high school. However, after serving for five years and one deployment to Afghanistan, Carl was medically retired. 

Shortly before his deployment to Afghanistan, he was introduced to Tawcha through her brother who was Carl's battle buddy down range. After returning from deployment, they were reintroduced and that's when they hit it off. 

Carl is a devoted husband to his wife, Tawcha, and a loving father to his two children, Grayson and Chandler, aged 2 and 4. He finds joy in being a dad, spending quality time with his family, watching sports, and listening to music. 

Carl and his wife moved to Amarillo in 2018 to assist in taking care of her grandparents, as they were developing health problems. Carl worked at the local mortuary for five years, before finding his home at Hope Lives Here.

Mikel McGuire

Service Dog Trainer

We are excited to introduce the newest member of Hope Lives Here, Mikel McGuire. He is originally from Irving, Texas, where he was raised and finished school. Upon graduating from Grand Prairie High School, Mikel enlisted in the United States Army. He was stationed at Fort Hood, where he then deployed and served one tour in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He served in the US Army from 2007-2011.

After his time in the Army, Mikel found himself in Amarillo Texas, where he met his wife, Wendy. Mikel is a devoted husband and loving father of two stepsons, and loves being a Pappy to he and his wife’s seven grandchildren. Mikel is an avid motorcycle rider, loves hunting, fishing, football and helping others.

Mikel became a Gold Legacy Life member of the local VFW Post 1475 in 2015. He joined as a member of the VFW Motorcycle Group of Texas, Amarillo chapter MG6 and went on to serve in many positions to eventually become the Post Commander of 1475 for a term of two years. He also served as VOD/Patriot Pen chairman, Senior Vice Commander of District 9 and earned the honor of All American and Allstate Post Commander awards from the State of Texas VFW. He was nominated two years in a row for the most prestigious award, The J.T. Rutherford, which is granted by the State of Texas VFW. Mikel has volunteered countless hours and served as a pillar of the community with multiple veteran service organizations. He holds a position on the Board of B.O.O.M. Adventures and enjoys volunteering his time taking other veterans out on guided hunts and fishing expeditions.

Mikel is an Alumni who graduated the Hope Lives Here program October 2023 with his Service Dog Tor’Q and was the first recipient of the James E. Miller Memorial Award. He has found a home at Hope Lives Here and looks forward to the opportunity to give back to the program, by working as a mentor to other Veterans in the training process of service dogs to heal heroes two at a time.

Board Of Directors

 Brooke Schneider – President

Joey Avey – Vice President

Nena Ayres – Secretary 

Heather Hancock – Treasurer

 Jeremy Scott - Board Member

Barbara Schneider – Board Member

Ben Bentley – Board Member 

 Dr. Robert Ballinger – Board Member

Brandon Whitney – Board Member

Laura Eubanks – Board Member

Stephen Dawson – Board Member 

Jesus Gonzales – Board Member

Jay Eubanks - Board Member

Community

Join the cause. Our mission is to save the lives of shelter dogs in our community and pair them with a Veteran to create a lifelong partnership. Training service dogs is expensive and the success of our organization relies on  generous donors who support our cause. Please consider helping today and donate here.