PHOTOS PROVIDED A variety of images JDog Removal shares on social media shows the work the business does.

There is perhaps no greater sacrifice than those who choose to serve their country in the various branches of the U.S. military, however, transitioning back to civilian life can be one of the most difficult tasks a veteran can tackle.

With that problem in mind, JDog Junk Removal & Hauling, a commercial hauling operation, looks to help lower the unemployment rate by offering franchise opportunities to only veterans and their family members.

After losing his job due to the company he was employed by for several years being bought out, Jeremy Lakes stumbled upon the business during a LinkedIn search.

“It’s a franchise that only franchises out to veterans and veteran family members, and it just really resonated with me, because it’s a way to continue giving back to the community. And it was a chance to build something that I can do with and possibly leave to my family,” Jeremy said.

Both Jeremy and his wife, Katie, come from military families, with Jeremy’s father, brother and maternal grandfather all having served in the U.S. Navy, and Katie’s grandfathers having served in the military as well.

Jeremy spent 13 years in the U.S. Army as a truck driver, which included tours in Iraq and Korea, leaving Katie to take the lead in raising their six children.

“A lot of times the non-military parent basically operates as a single parent. Nobody recognizes them that way, but in reality, that’s what they spend half their time doing,” Jeremy said.

The couple, who have been married 25 years, recently held their ribbon cutting ceremony during the recent Veterans Day parade in Muncy.

Not having a physical office, the couple opted to hold a tailgate party at the staging area, where they served up food.

“We just wanted to reach the community in a way where we were connecting with them,” Katie explained.

JDog Junk Removal offers a wide variety of services from large hauls to single item pick-ups.

“We’ve cleaned out hoarder houses where it’s basement to attic, floor to ceiling, just stuff everywhere, we’ve done above ground, pool tear downs, hot tub removals. We’ve taken out smoke houses and sheds, and we’ve done quite a bit of basement clean outs for landlords and homeowners,” Jeremy said.

“Even if they just have a single item they need to get rid of. We’ll try to work that into schedule, and if we’re in the neighborhood, we’ll pick that up as well,” he added.

A major focus of JDog Junk Removal is on recycling, with the company working to keep 60 to 80 % of what they pick up out of the landfill, recycling as much material as possible.

“We’ve dropped off at the West End Community Center, we’ve donated to the American Rescue Workers, and we’ve taken a lot to Humanity ReStore. We’ll contact churches or something like that, to see if a family’s in need of anything that’s in good shape and can be reused,” Katie explained.

The Lakes’ franchise covers from Lewisburg, along Interstate 180 to Mill Hall, but they also open to outlier communities such as Bellefonte, State College and Muncy Creek.

Unlike most hauling services, Jeremy and Katie are able to give customer estimates based off of photos of the area of concern, something Jeremy attributes to their many moves as a military family.

“Its like we’ve been training for this our whole lives,” Katie said.

Additionally, the company offers a 10% discount for veterans.

For the couple, much of what keeps them motivated is seeing the reactions of clients who are reclaiming space they have not seen, in perhaps, decades.

“We’ve pulled carpet up, and there’s this hardwood underneath that they haven’t seen since they were a child, and it’s their childhood home. So seeing their emotional reaction just makes you feel really good about giving back to the community,” Jeremy said.

Several clients have also voiced their pleasure to learning that there are women on the team.

“We’ve interacted with a few customers who have said that it makes them feel more comfortable that we have women on the crew because it might be somebody who lives alone, it might be somebody whose husband’s at work,” Katie said, speaking of herself and she and Jeremy’s son’s girlfriend, both of whom work with the business.

“I tell people these are the two hardest working women in junk removal. Recently, we took a 400 pound boiler out of a basement, and they were right there, helping us lift that thing out,” Jeremy said.

The motto of JDog is “respect, integrity, trust,” which Jeremy said is the pillar of the success of his fledgling franchise.

“We bring a lot of value to what we do, because we treat every customer with that respect. We’re out here trying to earn the trust of the community, and we really put every effort we can into doing a good job,” he explained.

“You’re getting rid of junk, but we want it to be a good experience for you, so we try to just make sure every client’s happy,” he said.

A Google business page set up by Jeremy and Katie boasts several high complimentary reviews, according to the couple, who encourage prospective clients to visit.

Those interested in JDog Junk Removal’s services can contact them at 570-505-2831, through their Facebook page at JDog Junk Removal and Hauling – Williamsport, or through their website at https://www.jdogjunkremoval.com/locations/pennsylvania/williamsport-junk-removal/.