{"id":2246,"date":"2015-12-02T10:51:51","date_gmt":"2015-12-02T10:51:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/theme-fusion.com\/avada\/university\/?page_id=9"},"modified":"2026-04-07T20:45:17","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T20:45:17","slug":"about-us","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/justice-speaks.org\/about-us\/","title":{"rendered":"About Us"},"content":{"rendered":"

Our Story<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Every day, people who rely on service dogs face challenges most never see.<\/strong><\/p>\n

A simple trip to the store. A meal at a restaurant. Boarding a flight.
What should be routine becomes stressful, unpredictable, and sometimes humiliating<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Service dog handlers are questioned, denied access, interrupted, or forced to explain deeply personal information just to exist in public spaces. These moments aren\u2019t rare…They\u2019re constant.<\/p>\n

And they come at a cost, eroding confidence, limiting independence, and forcing individuals to choose between their safety and their ability to participate in everyday life.<\/p>\n

Justice Speaks was built from lived experience.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Our founders have experienced firsthand the frustration, anxiety, and exhaustion that come from navigating a world that doesn\u2019t fully understand service dogs. But they\u2019ve also seen something powerful:<\/p>\n

Education changes everything.<\/strong><\/p>\n

When people understand how service dogs work\u2014and how to interact appropriately\u2014barriers disappear. Access improves. Dignity is restored.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s the change we exist to create.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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What We Do<\/p><\/h1><\/div>

Justice Speaks works at the intersection of education, advocacy, and real-world application. We equip people to create real change.<\/p>\n

We support service dog handlers<\/strong>
…With tools, scripts, and guidance to confidently advocate for their rights without sacrificing their privacy.<\/p>\n

We train businesses and frontline staff<\/strong>
…Through clear, practical protocols that help teams understand exactly how to interact with service dog teams in real situations.<\/p>\n

We educate communities<\/strong>
…By addressing misconceptions, promoting respectful behavior, and helping the public understand the critical role service dogs play.<\/p>\n

We advocate for systemic change<\/strong>
…By supporting policies, legislation, and accountability that protect access and reduce discrimination.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Meet the Team<\/p><\/h1><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Cathy Burds<\/p><\/h1><\/div>

Founder<\/p>\n<\/div>

<\/i><\/i><\/span>About Cathy<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
\n

With a passion for disability rights for the individual and their service dog, I want to help enhance your life experiences by advocating for those who cannot do it for themselves.<\/span><\/p>\n

Growing up with dogs, I\u2019ve always known the value they bring and how they can take away the anxiety we often feel and make us whole again.\u00a0 There is nothing like a kiss on the cheek, head on the lap, or snuggle to make you forget the world around you and feel a sense of peace and calm.<\/span><\/p>\n

Having a hearing disability along with PTSD, it was suggested I get a service dog to help me be a \u201cnormal\u201d member of society. At the time, I had small children and the cost to get a service dog seemed so far out of reach.\u00a0 Later, I learned I could obtain and train my own dog for a lot less and so the journey began 6 years ago with Justice.<\/span><\/p>\n

Justice has brought so much to my life. She is an extension of my own body with her ability to make up for my disabilities. She has given me the gift of freedom, freedom to go out into the world, to places where I once wasn\u2019t sure I belonged, to environments where I hesitant because of the \u201cwhat if\u201d questions, she has made me feel whole and normal. Because of her and what she has done in my life, I want others to be able to experience the lifesaving tools and the sense of normalcy a service dog can bring to their lives.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, with all the good Justice has brought me, her presence in the community has not always been well received.\u00a0 Its because of this I founded Justice Speaks. Our communities need to aware of and educated in how to respond to and react around service dogs. Together we can bridge the gaps in knowledge between the individual and their communities, shaping public perception and achieving equal rights for everyone.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Duke<\/p><\/h1><\/div>

Trainer<\/p>\n<\/div>

<\/i><\/i><\/span>About Duke<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
\n

Dogs have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. My first dog Duchess was always by my side she started my love and passion for dogs by being the best, best friend any boy could ever ask for. \u00a0 Over the years I\u2019ve owned several different breeds but in 2009, a 16-week-old Bernese Mountain Dog \u201cZoe\u201d captured my heart and started me on my current path.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I served in the Army (Infantry reclassed to Medic) for 8 years with 2 deployments (Afghanistan and Iraq) when I was stationed at Fort Carson.\u00a0 One step off the airplane and I knew I had found home. The mountains called to me, that and the fact I could leave a bag of chips open and they didn\u2019t go stale within the hour.\u00a0 In 2009, I met my wife and together we started the adventure of AKC purebred dogs. Having \u201cBerners\u201d has changed my life, together we have traveled across the United States and formed a \u201cfamily\u201d with our colleagues in the sport.\u00a0 Not to mention, training two Versatility Dogs so far, and achieving Conformation, Obedience, Rally, Drafting, Farm Dog, Trick Dog and Canine Good Citizen titles.\u00a0 Maybe soon we\u2019ll have Bernese Mountain Dog Dock Divers too?<\/span><\/p>\n

Over the years, I learned a variety of different techniques, tips, and tricks for training dogs. Testing each of them through trial and error has helped form my own style of training dogs and their owners. I thoroughly enjoy being able to help others bridge the gap between themselves and their dogs to build a better relationship, improve dynamics, and be successful in their endeavors for performance.<\/span><\/p>\n

I truly believe because of my dogs my life is so much richer and fuller than it would have been without them. I have seen firsthand how a dog can help people and save lives, which is why I\u2019m thrilled to be a part of Justice Speaks!<\/span><\/p>\n

AKC approval for certified CGC and Trick Dog evaluator.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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OUR MISSION<\/h1><\/h1><\/div>

To advance service dog rights through community education, business training, advocacy, and practical tools that improve access, reduce harm, and transform how society interacts with service dog teams.<\/p>\n<\/div>

OUR VISION<\/h1><\/h1><\/div>

A world where every service dog team can move through life confidently\u2014free from discrimination, interruption, fear, or injustice.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

OUR VALUES<\/h1><\/div>