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Key Takeaways
- Marshall+Sterling partnered with Guardian Revival’s Boots & Paws program to award a companion dog to a local veteran.
- The event celebrated the placement of Bella, a Labrador, with Alex, a U.S. Navy veteran and first responder, highlighting community support and healing.
- Marshall+Sterling’s Impact+ program promotes well-being in the communities it serves, focusing on education, health, and veteran support.
Poughkeepsie, New York, April 30, 2026 – Marshall+Sterling, in partnership with Guardian Revival’s Boots & Paws program, supported the awarding of a companion dog to a local veteran and first responder, marking the program’s fourth placement this year and reflecting Marshall+Sterling’s broader Impact+ commitment to strengthening health and well-being across the communities it serves.
The event brought together members of the Hudson Valley community – including guardians, donors, friends, and family – to celebrate the placement of Bella, a nine-week-old chocolate Labrador, with Alex, a U.S. Navy veteran and FDNY first responder, and his family. Hosted at Marshall+Sterling’s Poughkeepsie headquarters, the moment recognized Alex’s service and resilience while providing an opportunity for connection and healing through companionship.
This initiative is part of Marshall+Sterling’s Impact+ program, which focuses on enhancing the well-being of the communities where we work and live while supporting causes that help create a future that’s safer and more secure. In 2025 alone, the program supported more than 50 communities, reinforcing the firm’s belief that stronger communities reduce risk at its source.
Through Impact+, Marshall+Sterling prioritizes investments in education, health, social impact initiatives, veteran support, and environmental sustainability, areas that directly influence long-term community resilience.
That focus is increasingly important as mental health challenges continue to rise, particularly among veterans and first responders. These challenges are creating real and measurable impacts across individuals, families, workplaces, and communities.
Programs like Boots & Paws play a critical role. Companion animals have been shown to improve emotional stability, reduce stress, and strengthen daily routines — outcomes that directly contribute to long-term resilience and reduced downstream risk.
“Over the years at Boots & Paws, we’ve had the privilege of seeing firsthand how these companion dogs have a profound effect on the lives of our guardians by providing them with unconditional support,” said Rachel Hill, executive director of the Boots & Paws program. “Each awarding reminds us of the incredible connections that can be forged between guardians and companion dogs in just a matter of minutes.”
“Risk doesn’t always show up as a claim, it shows up in people’s lives,” said Eric Diamond, President and CEO of Marshall+Sterling and a U.S. Army veteran. “From my time in service, I’ve seen how resilience is built long before a crisis. When we help clients predict, prepare for and preempt risk, that includes supporting the mental health and stability of the communities they depend on. Partnerships like Guardian Revival are one way we put that into action.”
As Guardian Revival continues to grow across the Hudson Valley, moments like this remind us that no guardian has to walk alone. These life-changing programs are only made possible through the generosity of partners like Marshall+Sterling. To learn more about our work, visit https://www.guardianrevival.org.
About Guardian Revival
Guardian Revival is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the mental health and resilience of military members, veterans, first responders, and their families through connection, community, and healing experiences.
About Marshall+Sterling
Founded in 1864, Marshall+Sterling is a 100% employee-owned, national independent risk solutions partner. The firm helps businesses, individuals, and organizations protect what they’ve built and plan confidently for what comes next by empowering them to predict, prepare for, and preempt risk. Headquartered in New York and licensed in all states and the U.S. Virgin Islands, Marshall+Sterling specializes in business insurance, employee benefits, personal insurance, and wealth management solutions with a consultative, forward-looking approach. The firm is consistently recognized by Business Insurance as one of the top 50 insurance brokers in the United States. Follow @marshallsterling on social media.
Media Contacts
Kevin Davis
Communications Manager
Guardian Revival
press@guardianrevival.org
kevindavis@guardianrevival.org
817-939-2801
Robert Melstein
Chief Marketing Officer
Marshall+Sterling
rmelstein@marshallsterling.com
845-743-6821
