Established in 2003, the service dog programs of America’s VetDogs provide enhanced mobility, renewed independence, and companionship to veterans with disabilities from all backgrounds, ages, and geographical locations across the United States. From WWII to current conflict veterans, and across all U.S. time zones, America’s VetDogs program graduates share a common goal: to LIVE WITHOUT BOUNDARIES®.
In 2015, America’s VetDogs opened its programs to first responders, including ... Read More
Established in 2003, the service dog programs of America’s VetDogs provide enhanced mobility, renewed independence, and companionship to veterans with disabilities from all backgrounds, ages, and geographical locations across the United States. From WWII to current conflict veterans, and across all U.S. time zones, America’s VetDogs program graduates share a common goal: to LIVE WITHOUT BOUNDARIES®.
In 2015, America’s VetDogs opened its programs to first responders, including fire, police, and emergency medical personnel.
America's VetDogs was founded by the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind®, which has served people who are blind, have low vision, or have other disabilities for more than 75 years.
Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind was the first assistance dog school in the United States to be accredited by both the International Guide Dog Federation and Assistance Dogs International, the two international regulatory bodies that certify guide and service dog schools on a voluntary basis.
In 2013, America’s VetDogs became the second assistance dog school in the United States to be certified by International Guide Dog Federation and Assistance Dogs International.
Since inception in 2003, America’s VetDogs has placed over 930 assistance dogs with disabled veterans, active-duty servicemembers, and first responders. America’s VetDogs has approximately 500 active program graduates.
America’s VetDogs service and guide dogs will learn skills that are tailored to the need of the veteran including: support for visually and hearing-impaired individuals, nightmare interruption, retrieval of dropped items, providing balance, opening and closing doors, PTSD relief, and more.
America’s VetDogs also provides specialized facility dogs to provide animal-assisted therapy as part of the rehabilitation process at military and VA hospitals, and PTSD service dogs to help mitigate the effects of PTSD to provide the emotional and physical support needed.
It costs more than $50,000 to breed, raise, train, and place one assistance dog, but America’s VetDogs provides its services completely free of charge to the individual, including a lifetime of aftercare support.
The organization relies on contributions from generous individuals, corporations, civic service clubs, and foundations to fund its mission to help those who have served our country live without boundaries.
More than 80 percent of each dollar brought into the organization goes toward the programs and services provided by America’s VetDogs.
America’s VetDogs has been recognized by the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance, earned the Candid GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency, and been identified by The Patriots Initiative as an accredited charity that meets their best practices that most effectively support our nation's armed forces communities. Charity Navigator rates America’s VetDogs as a “4-star charity,” earning a 100% score as a charity to whom “you can give with confidence.”
To learn how to apply, donate, volunteer, or partner, visit http://www.VetDogs.org.
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