OUR STORY
The history of K9 1 Rescued to Rescue is rooted in the experience and passion of Brian Reimsnyder, a former K9 Sergeant at Indian River County. Before his retirement, Brian launched K9 1 Training and Consulting in 2019, applying his expertise to rehabilitate and train dogs. Through a partnership with HALO's Homeward Bound Program, he began working with dogs that were considered unadoptable, rehabilitating them so they could find new homes.
Brian's motivation to start the nonprofit stemmed from personal loss. Hearing about suicides of several colleagues and friends in law enforcement, Brian felt called to take action. He saw an opportunity to make a difference by combining his skills in dog training with a mission to help veterans and first responders, many of whom face mental health challenges such as PTSD and depression. His vision was to rescue shelter dogs, rehabilitate them, and then pair them with veterans and first responders, providing both the dogs and their handlers with a new purpose—these dogs become service animals, offering support and companionship.
This mission is not only about saving dogs but also about addressing the mental health crisis in the veteran and first responder communities, making K9 1 Rescued to Rescue a unique initiative in this space.
Meet the Team
Brian Reimsnyder
FOUNDER
Brian Reimsnyder brings over 20 years of dog training experience in Indian River County. He began his law enforcement career with the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office in 1998 & became a K9 handler in 2000 after volunteering more than 1,000 hours to K9 training. During his career, he worked with six dogs, including four dual-purpose narcotics/patrol dogs & two search-and-rescue bloodhounds.
Brian later became the lead FDLE K9 instructor for IRCSO, Vero Beach Police Department, & Sebastian Police Department, as well as an FDLE state evaluator certifying K9 teams across four counties. As president of the Police Work Dog Association of Florida (PWDAF), he continues to organize narcotics training schools, seminars, & annual certifications. He retired in 2023 as the sergeant overseeing the IRCSO K9 Unit after 25 years in law enforcement.
In addition to law enforcement, Brian worked with explosive detection dogs for Royal Caribbean & Princess Cruise Lines. In 2019, K9 1 expanded into pet & rescue dog training, partnering with HALO to create the Homeward Bound program, which rehabilitates difficult-to-adopt dogs for permanent homes. In 2024, he founded Rescued to Rescue, a nonprofit dedicated to training rescue dogs for service work & improving the lives of both dogs & the people they serve.
Cynthia Ryan
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Cynthia Ryan serves as the Executive Director of K91 Rescued to Rescue Foundation, where she leads the organization's mission of saving lives at both ends of the leash. With more than a decade of leadership experience in nonprofit management, public administration, fundraising, community partnerships, and veteran advocacy, Cynthia is dedicated to building programs that create lasting change for veterans, first responders, rescued dogs, and the communities they serve.
Throughout her career, Cynthia has secured grant funding, led successful capital campaigns, developed strategic partnerships, and created innovative programs that improve the lives of those who have served our country. Her passion for serving veterans has guided her work in developing initiatives focused on mental wellness, service dogs, housing support, transportation, and community engagement.
For Cynthia, this work is more than a profession; it is deeply personal. As the wife of a combat veteran and a member of a family with more than 200 years of combined military service, she has witnessed firsthand the sacrifices made by service members and their families. That perspective fuels her commitment to ensuring veterans and first responders have access to the support, healing, and hope they deserve.
Cynthia holds a Master's degree in Public Administration from the University of Miami and is currently pursuing her Doctor of Public Administration. She also earned a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Florida Atlantic University and two Associate degrees from Indian River State College. Her academic background, combined with years of executive leadership, provides a strong foundation for advancing K91 Rescued to Rescue's mission and expanding its impact.
As Executive Director, Cynthia is committed to ensuring every veteran and first responder has access to hope, healing, and purpose through the life-changing bond with a rescued service dog. She believes healing can happen at both ends of the leash and that when communities come together to support both people and animals, extraordinary transformations are possible.
Taylor Reimsnyder
Canine Trainer, Kennel Tech, & Medical Caretaker
Taylor joined K91 full-time in November 2021 after helping on the side since 2019 to further her passion for dog training. A former vet tech & Head of Kennels at Live Oak Animal Hospital, she now handles clients' medical needs & maintains a strong relationship with the hospital, providing K9 1 access to trusted veterinary care.
Growing up with Brian’s K9 partners since he joined the IRCSO K9 Unit when she was 4, Taylor developed a lifelong connection to working dogs. She owns three dogs: Taser, a working-line GSD x Malinois bred with Brian’s former partner, Kobi; Scamp, a Potcake “foster fail” through HALO; & Echo, a Malinois client surrender she trained who now helps reactive dogs build confidence as K9 1’s “welcome wagon.”
Her years in veterinary medicine exposed her to trauma cases & personal mental health struggles, giving her firsthand insight into the challenges faced by those in high-stress professions. Combined with her experience placing dogs in homes, her faith in God, & the support of her dog Taser, she found a new passion: helping shelter dogs support the heroes who have served our nation. Taylor also helped kickstart the K9 1 Rescued to Rescue Foundation into what it is today.