About The Pack

Founder & CEO
Janna Newman
Janna is the wife of Iraq Army Veteran; Ryan Newman, mom to four amazing kids, and five dogs. Janna has a Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction and has been an Elementary Educator for 24 years. Her experience in education plays a vital part in the P.A.W.S.S. Service Dog Training Program. Janna is the Co-Founder of P.A.W.S.S. She also serves as a Lead Trainer and Instructional Specialist for the P.A.W.S.S. Program. She is a Certified Dog Trainer through Animal Behavior College and has been training Service Dogs for six years.

Director of Training
Ryan Newman
Ryan is a United States Army Veteran who served two heavy combat tours in Iraq from 2003-2004 and 2005-2006. With the help of a local non-profit in 2012, Ryan learned to train his own Service Dog, which in turn saved his life. Feeling a sense of purpose since returning home from war, Ryan saw the benefits of how the quality of his life had improved from having his Service Dog. He wanted to give back to others. Ryan enrolled in Animal Behavior College to become an Animal Behavioralist, and has been training Service Dogs for twelve years. Ryan is one of the Co-Founders of P.A.W.S.S., alongside his wife; Janna, The P.A.W.S.S. Director of Training, and the Lead Trainer for P.A.W.S.S. Service Dog Training.

Trainer
Doyle Runnels
Doyle is a 3rd generation U.S. Army Combat Veteran and Purple Heart recipient. He trained his first service dog, Sierra, with Ryan in 2018. He received a second service dog, Murphy, in 2019 that was a re-home from another Veteran. He is an avid animal lover and has every kind of pet you can think of. Doyle is excited to be joining the P.A.W.S.S. Pack!

Trainer
Irelyn Newman
Irelyn has been training with P.A.W.S.S. since the program launched in 2021. She has been working side-by-side with her dad since 2013 training Service Dogs. Irelyn has 1500+ hours behind the leash. She is able to dedicate her time to training while attending online school. Irelyn is roaming around the classroom helping various students with training their dogs and is always eager to be of help. She is a valuable member to our pack.

Trainer
Patrick Kreuzer
Patrick is a disabled USMC veteran and retired police officer. Born a German citizen and becoming an American citizen at a young age, Patrick felt a calling to give back to his country and community by serving over 20 years combined. He fell in love with the P.A.W.S.S. organization while going through the program and felt compelled to get involved. Patrick has a passion for all animals, especially his five dogs he has at home.

Trainer
Shannon Alexander
Shannon, a disabled Gulf War Veteran, proudly served in the United States Air Force for 15 years. He grew up around horses and after his service, attended the Universal Horsemanship Training which was his first introduction to training animals and he realized his passion. Over the next 12 years, he trained BLM wild mustangs. Shannon sought out P.A.W.S.S. to begin the process of obtaining his own service animal to support his post-service life goals. Shannon joined P.A.W.S.S. as a student in 2024 with his German Shepherd Maxie, and now Maxie assists him in daily responsibilities. Due to the enjoyment of training Maxie, Shannon is committed to the vision of P.A.W.S.S. and supporting other Veterans and First Responders access to service animals!