From military service to GEICO: a veteran's journey with her service dog

Kate MehnertA National Guard veteran's journey highlights the power of continued support for service members

This Veterans Day, GEICO spotlights the transformative story of Kate Mehnert, a National Guard veteran and senior tech services specialist at the company, whose path to healing through a unique service dog program demonstrates how crucial ongoing support remains for veterans long after their service ends.

After serving nearly a decade in the National Guard, Mehnert transitioned to civilian life, working within GEICO's tech organization. However, in 2010, she faced an unimaginable tragedy when her 17-year-old daughter, Taylor, was killed in a car accident. Though she initially sought to cope with her loss by volunteering for deployment to Afghanistan, she was deemed unfit to deploy, leading to years of struggling with depression while maintaining her career at GEICO.

A turning point came in 2022, when she attended a Veterans Day company luncheon that introduced her to Western New York Heroes (WNY Heroes), a veterans assistance organization, and their Pawsitive for Heroes program. The program, which pairs service dogs with veterans in medical need, uniquely honors fallen service members by naming their dogs after these heroes.

Through the program, Mehnert was paired with Abby, a 100-pound African Boerboel named after U.S. Army veteran Abigail Jenks of the airborne division. The partnership led to an extraordinary connection when Mehnert met Abigail's mother, Mary Elizabeth Tator, at WNY Heroes' annual Red, White, and Blue Charity Gala.

"It was an evening that I will cherish for the rest of my life," Mehnert said. The two women discovered remarkable coincidences: their daughters shared the same birthday, Abigail had the same military occupational specialty as Mehnert's son, and Abigail's final artwork bore a striking resemblance to Mehnert's latest tattoo.

"We both truly feel that Abby was meant to be mine and our daughters brought us together," Mehnert shared. To honor Abigail's memory, she has placed a commemorative badge on Abby's harness.

Today, Mehnert's story embodies the spirit of Veterans Day, demonstrating the power of community and continued support for veterans throughout their lives. She is an active member of GEICO's Achieving Beyond and Lifting Expectations Employee Resource Group, where she volunteers and educates leaders about the importance of service animals for associates' mental health. Beyond her professional role, she advocates for veteran suicide prevention, supporting fellow veterans through life's challenges.

"I'm grateful to be able to bring my military experience to my civilian role here at GEICO," Mehnert says. "I'm also grateful to GEICO for making strides to improve associates' mental health and walking this journey with me."

About Western New York Heroes

Western New York Heroes provides financial, physical, and emotional support resources to veterans transitioning to civilian life. Their Pawsitive for Heroes program specifically focuses on pairing service dogs with veterans in medical need, supporting veterans every day of the year.

GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company), the third-largest auto insurer in the U.S., was founded in 1936 and insures vehicles in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. GEICO, a member of the Berkshire Hathaway family of companies, constantly strives to make lives better by protecting people against unexpected events while saving them money and providing an outstanding customer experience. Along with personal auto insurance, commercial auto and personal umbrella coverages are also available. Homeowners, renters, condo, flood, identity theft, term life, and more coverages are written through non-affiliated insurance companies and are secured through the GEICO Insurance Agency, LLC. Visit GEICO.com for a quote or to learn more.