Paige Yedinak

Paige brings nearly a decade of experience in corrections, where she served in specialized roles including Crisis Response, Drill & Ceremony, and as a departmental instructor. Before that, she volunteered as a firefighter — a reflection of the commitment to service that has defined her entire career.

But it was becoming a K9 handler that changed everything. Receiving her K9 partner stands as one of the proudest moments of her life. From day one, Paige threw herself into the demanding work of training a dual-purpose narcotics detection and patrol K9 from the ground up — and in doing so, discovered a deep passion for the craft of dog training, the discipline it requires, and the extraordinary bond it builds between handler and dog.

That journey also showed her something harder to talk about: the mental and emotional weight this work carries. She has lived it, and she has watched colleagues carry it alone. That reality shaped her belief that no one in public safety or the military should ever have to.

Now, as Program Lead for Badge & Bone, Paige is putting that belief into action. Through Second Chance Service Dogs, she trains and places rescue dogs with first responders, active-duty military, and veterans who need a partner they can count on. Through The K9 Retirement & Reintegration Program, she works with retired working dogs and their handlers — helping both decompress, adjust, and step into the next chapter with the structure, care, and patience they have earned.

Every dog deserves a purpose. Every hero deserves a partner.