On Jan. 1, 2026, Mike Kitchens will turn over his volunteer leadership role at Smoky Mountain Service Dogs to its new volunteer chairman — retired Army Col. Joe Tedesco. Kitchens will remain on the board as a member at large.
In 2010, Mike and his wife Suzy helped start the non-profit organization that so far has provided 77 highly trained service dogs at no cost to veterans and first responders. Since the first board meeting in September 2010, Kitchens has “dedicated his life to respond to this great need among veterans and first responders,” a press release stated.
“From the first dog Copper to the most recent SMSD Wiley, these 77 mobility assistance service dogs have been helping the men and women who have given so much to keep all of us safe.”
Tedesco has been on the SMSD board since May of 2022 and has been responsible for Human Relations and managing a U.S. Government grant/contract. He served for 31 years on active duty and has commanded U.S. soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines on three continents, the release stated.
He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and is a survivor of the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon when his office was destroyed. Among his many decorations, he’s been awarded the Legion of Merit with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters and the Afghan Medal of Bravery.
For more information about Smoky Mountain Service Dogs visit smokymountainservicedogs.org.
