About Service Peace Warriors
We believe no hero should fight their battles alone.
Dedicated to Healing Through Connection
Our Mission
Our mission is simple: to give back to those who have given everything. Service Peace Warriors provides highly trained service dogs free of charge to veterans and first responders living with PTSD, MST, and other service-connected disabilities. By pairing service dogs with veterans and first responders, we help heroes reclaim their confidence, independence, and peace of mind.
Every Service Peace Warriors dog is trained with care, compassion, and respect for the bond between human and animal. These dogs don’t just serve — they save lives.
“They bring calm to panic, joy to despair, and the confidence to face each new day.”
Our Story
Where Hope Begins
Service Peace Warriors was founded in 2015 by Mary Mattox, whose personal journey with PTSD and the healing power of dogs inspired a mission to help others do the same. What began as a small, heartfelt effort in rural Washington has grown into a recognized nonprofit serving heroes across the Pacific Northwest.
Our name reflects what we stand for:
- Service — to those who’ve served us
- Peace — for those who’ve endured trauma
- Warriors — because healing is a battle worth fighting
From our quiet facility in Eltopia, Washington, we train, match, and support service dogs and their handlers—bringing hope to those who need it most.
Staff
Day-to-Day Operations & Admin
Mary Mattox
CEO and Co-Founder
Mary has more than 30 years of dog training experience and a lifetime of compassion. Her journey from personal trauma to founding Service Peace Warriors embodies the mission itself—proving that healing is possible through empathy, purpose, and partnership. With deep experience in behavioral training, animal care, and trauma recovery, Mary leads with heart, faith, and unwavering commitment to every veteran and dog that enters the program.
Chance Mattox
Co-Founder & President
A lifelong dog trainer and 4-H participant, Chance co-founded Service Peace Warriors after apprenticing under Mary. He also leads Mattox Dog Training Academy, where he specializes in rehabilitating anxious and aggressive dogs. His expertise in ADA-compliant training and behavioral conditioning ensures every SPW service dog is reliable, responsive, and life-ready.
Randall Keene
Chief Growth Officer
With a background in IT operations, business administration, and process optimization, Randall brings structure and sustainability to the organization—helping SPW grow while staying true to its mission.
Tyler Petermann
Operations Support Specialist
With over 10 years of leadership experience across multiple industries, Tyler Petermann brings a versatile approach to improving efficiency and solving complex challenges. He focuses on identifying areas for process improvement, implementing effective solutions, and fostering a collaborative, informed work environment.
Board of Directors
Chance Mattox
Co-Founder & President
A lifelong dog trainer and 4-H participant, Chance co-founded Service Peace Warriors after apprenticing under Mary. He also leads Mattox Dog Training Academy, where he specializes in rehabilitating anxious and aggressive dogs. His expertise in ADA-compliant training and behavioral conditioning ensures every SPW service dog is reliable, responsive, and life-ready.
Tara Robertson
Vice President
A U.S. Army veteran and SPW graduate, Tara’s experience with her service dog, SPW Beretta, brought light back into her life. She now advocates passionately for veterans, ensuring others can experience the same healing and hope.
Darcie Brightman
Secretary
An educator and longtime volunteer, Darcie helps strengthen SPW’s community partnerships, outreach, and volunteer engagement programs.
Avis Rodriguez
Sergeant at Arms
A retired U.S. Air Force Reserve veteran, Avis was matched with her service dog SPW Ash in 2019 and now supports fundraising and advocacy to expand awareness among veterans with PTSD and MST.
Additional Board Members:
Rylee Clark, Diona Schilling, Richard Wood, Haylee Chopek
Financial Information and Tax Returns
Our Commitment to Accountability
Service Peace Warriors is a registered 501 (cx3) nonprofit organization. We maintain full transparency in our financial reporting and operations, ensuring every donation directly supports veterans, first responders, and the dogs that serve them.
View Financials & 990s:
Non-Discrimination Policy
Inclusive and Welcoming for All
Service Peace Warriors does not and shall not discriminate based on race, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, or sexual orientation in any of its operations. We are proud to provide an inclusive, respectful, and compassionate environment for all staff, volunteers, veterans, and community members.
Honor, Hope, and Healing
Join Us in Making a Difference
Whether you’re a veteran in need, a donor, or a volunteer, you can play a part in our mission to bring peace and healing through the loyalty of a service dog.