Where to Find Service Dogs For Veterans
Organizations That Provide Service Dogs to Veterans and Military
Service members and veterans can come home from war needing to heal. There are many different ways to do this. One way to help with this is to offer these service members and veterans a service dog. These are trained dogs who work with those with a disability, such as a visual impairment, hearing impairment, mental illness, PTSD, seizures, mobility impairment, etc.
In honor of K9 Veterans Day, here is a list of organizations that help service members and veterans receive a service dog and/or emotional support animals.
K9s For Warriors
This organization rescues and trains shelter dogs to be paired as service dogs for warriors with service-connected post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injuries, and military sexual trauma. They are the nation’s largest provider of service dogs for disabled American veterans.
NEADS World Class Service Dogs
NEADS offers fully-trained service dogs for US veterans from any conflict who have a permanent physical disability, hearing loss, MS, or other progressive conditions. The disabilities don’t need to be service-related.
Veterans applying to the PTSD program should live within a three-hour drive of the NEADS campus in Princeton, MA.
America’s VetDogs
At America’s VetDogs, they provide enhanced mobility and returned independence to veterans, active duty service members, and first responders with disabilities.
This agency specializes in placing highly skilled service and guide dogs for individuals with physical injuries, PTSD, hearing and vision loss, and seizures.
Patriot PAWS
Patriot PAWS trains and provides service dogs of the highest quality at no cost to disabled American veterans and others with mobile disabilities and PTSD to help restore their physical and emotional independence. They also work to build partnerships with local, state, and national organizations to help develop and support this goal.
Pets for Patriots
Pets for Patriots wants to end animal homelessness in the US while giving military veterans and their families the extraordinary love of a companion pet. The agency operates nationwide shelters and veterinary networks, military and veteran organizations.
Companions for Heroes
Companions for Heroes provides companion dogs on a case-by-case basis. Their service dogs are obtained from shelters, recuses, and humane societies that otherwise might be put down. The organization also increases public awareness of PTSD, TBI, and other challenges confronting members of the military. They rally support for animal welfare and the adoption of shelter and/or recuse animals.
American Humane
The animal rescue program at American Humane was born on the battlefields of World War I Europe where volunteers with American Humane deployed to recuse and care for 68,000 wounded war horses each month.
American Humane provides service dogs to veterans suffering from PTSD and works to protect America’s hard-working military dogs. Their Pups4Patriots program gives veterans with PTSD and TBI the support they need, while also giving shelter dogs across the US a second chance at life. This agency does not provide guide dogs, hearing dogs, or mobility dogs.
Working Dogs for Vets
The No Veteran Left Behind Program helps veterans train their own service dogs. Applicants without a dog can be matched with a dog from a local shelter. Those who bring a dog may need to have the pet evaluated to determine suitability for training. Some dogs may not be eligible for the training or unable to participate.
At This Able Veteran, they combine specialty-trained PTSD service dogs with a Trauma Resiliency Program and life-skills training meant to complement the veteran’s ongoing therapy.
Hero Dogs
At Hero Dogs they place service dogs with veterans and first responders in the greater Washington DC area. They also place skilled companion dogs with veterans and first-responder families and facility dogs with qualified clinicians.
Pets for Vets
This organization works to connect the nation’s military veterans with rescued animals. They have made over 300 successful matches. Pets are matched to the needs, wants, and hopes of each veteran. Pets for Vets attempts to find the animal that will bring each person the most support and comfort. Beyond dogs, they have also placed cats and rabbits. Any veteran who can benefit from these animals should apply.
Freedom Service Dogs of America
With this organization, they transform dogs into custom-trained, life-changing assistance dogs for people in need. Their clients live with disabilities like autism, TBI, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, Down Syndrome, CP, and spinal cord injuries. This agency serves veterans with post-traumatic stress (PTSD) but does not provide service dogs for non-military civilians diagnosed with PTSD.
Operation Delta Dog
Operation Delta Dog rescues homeless dogs from shelters and breed-resue groups. They then train them to work as service dogs with local veterans who are suffering from PTSD and TBI. The dogs get homes and veterans get that extra help.
RELATED:
- Find Dog and Pet Discounts For Military and Veterans
- K9 Veterans Day: About Military Working Dogs
- Vietnam War Veterans Day Celebrations Across the Nation
- Suicide Prevention Resources For Military & Veterans
- Man’s Best Friend Versus PTSD
About the author
Julie Provost is a freelance writer, and blogger. She lives in Tennessee with her National Guard husband and three boys.
