Hope & Healing: How Your Support Helps Veterans Find Their Lifesaving Service Dogs
- Brenda
- May 3
- 8 min read
There are not enough words to explain the bond between Service Dog and their Handler. My name is Pam Douglas, and I am a Vietnam-era veteran with severe hearing loss. Anna is a Border Collie / Labrador mix and is my Service Dog. Let me tell you our story.
Sounds are taken for granted until you lose your hearing and can’t hear them anymore. It changes your life in so many ways. Little things become big, such as a knock on the door, a smoke alarm sounding, an alarm clock buzzing, and so much more. I became fearful and didn’t want to leave my home alone because I could not hear what was happening around me. Yes, a silent world is very scary.
I am sure Anna also had some scary times at the beginning of her life. She was a stray that a shelter had taken in. The shelter knew I was looking for a dog that could be trained as a Hearing Service Dog and contacted me about Anna. She was already nine months old and needed a home. We have been together ever since. Anna and I would make the 2-hour drive (in each direction) to and from Working Dogs For Vet’s weekly for her to get training. As her training progressed, we started making the trip monthly. It has been over three years now, and we still make the trip to Working Dogs For Vets; not as frequently as we would like, but we still go.
The Working Dogs For Vets program is not just about training the dog. It is about helping the Veteran and the Veteran’s Family. It truly is “Saving Lives on Both Ends of The Leash.”
Thanks to Working Dogs For Vets, Anna and I are a team. We go everywhere together. But it’s not just about going out together; it’s about the security and safety that I know I have because of Anna. She has become my ears, and she hears for me. She alerts me to things I need to be aware of. I no longer fear someone coming up behind me. I know when someone is at my door. I don’t stay awake at night, fearing I won’t hear the alarm Clock.
A Service Dog is not just a dog. They are far more than that! A Service Dog is companionship, and love, but most importantly, a Service Dog is safety, security, and life!
Sincerely, Pam Douglas and Anna
The Growing Need – Why We Need Support
Working Dogs For Vets receives hundreds of new applications from veterans in need.
PTSD & Veterans
29% of veterans who served in Operations Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Enduring Freedom (OEF) develop PTSD.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) estimates that 23% of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans experience PTSD.
PTSD treatments often require long-term commitment, but many veterans struggle with high dropout rates (27.1%) for trauma-focused therapies.
Mobility Impairments & Veterans
Over 4.7 million veterans in the U.S. live with service-connected disabilities, including mobility impairments.
Mobility challenges can stem from combat injuries, amputations, spinal cord injuries, and neurological disorders.
Veterans with mobility impairments often experience reduced independence and increased mental health struggles, making service dogs a vital support system.
Service Dogs & Their Benefits
88% of service dog owners report a positive mental health impact, with most rating their effectiveness 8/10 or higher.
Service dogs help veterans by providing emotional support, mobility assistance, and PTSD symptom relief.
Studies show that veterans with service dogs experience lower anxiety, improved sleep, and increased social engagement.
The VA has researched the effectiveness of service dogs for PTSD, showing promising results in reducing symptoms and improving overall well-being.
These dogs are trained to recognize signs of anxiety or distress in their handlers. When a veteran is experiencing a panic attack or heightened anxiety, a service dog can remove them from a stressful situation. They learn many other tasks, such as turning on a light to wake from night terrors, providing medication reminders or alerts, helping veterans navigate a crowd, and so much more. along with an added benefit that is not a service dog task, but is helpful, they provide physical comfort through touch or simply by being present. Their ability to sense emotions often allows them to respond in ways humans may not fully understand.
The Funding Gap – What Donations Provide
Every day, veterans apply to Working Dogs for Vets in search of a service dog—many battling PTSD, mobility impairments, and other health challenges. While we work tirelessly to serve as many veterans as possible, lack of funding creates delays that leave some waiting longer than they should.
This is where your donation makes a direct difference. Every contribution helps fund critical training, outreach, and
resources necessary to connect veterans with their lifesaving service dogs.
Where Your Support Goes
✅ Training Costs – It takes months of specialized training to ensure each service dog is fully prepared to support a veteran’s unique needs. Donations help cover trainer salaries, training supplies, and certification expenses.
✅ Outreach & Awareness – Many veterans don’t know service dogs are an option for their recovery. Your support allows us to expand outreach, produce educational materials, and connect more veterans with lifesaving programs.
✅ Instructional Videos – Some veterans live too far away to attend in-person training. Funding helps us produce professional instructional videos so they can learn vital skills remotely and prepare for their service dog journey.
✅ Food & Care for Service Dogs – Proper nutrition, veterinary care, and ongoing support ensure that each service dog remains healthy, well-trained, and ready to serve.
✅ Veteran Matching & Placement – Every veteran-service dog pairing requires careful evaluation, follow-up support, and adjustment assistance to ensure long-term success.
Why Your Donation Matters
Every dollar donated moves a veteran one step closer to receiving a lifesaving service dog. Without support, veterans may face long waiting periods, delayed access to training, or limited resources to help them succeed.
We need your help to make these matches happen faster and serve more veterans in need.
💙 You can make a difference today!
$25 helps provide essential training materials.
$100 contributes to service dog food & care.
$500 assists with outreach & education.
$1,000+ funds critical training and placement for veterans in need.
Every contribution, big or small, directly impacts the life of a veteran.
📢 Join us in making a difference—donate today!
The Impact of Past Contributions
Click to view our Year End Report
Working Dogs For Vet's Mission is to provide service dogs and training to disabled heroes in need, empowering them as they return to civilian life with newfound independence, reducing suicide and overcrowding in animal shelters. ● 3324TotalMembers 7/1/2023-6/30/24 109 new this year) ● 260 teams to evaluate ● 100 veterans need to be matched with dogs from shelters ● Adopted dogs this year 250 (new total 2331) ● 69 Teams across the U.S. working on basics and continuing to train for Service Dog In-Training Evaluation ● 65 Service Dogs In-Training learning tasks to become a Service Dog ● 70ServiceDogGraduates this year. We recertify yearly, but many continue training, visiting, and volunteering. ● Suicides this year (0) 2 Animals Rehomed this year: Dogs that were rehomed because they didn’t make it as service dogs. Those who do not make it will have received basic/advanced training and will be placed into a new home as a pet. ● #ofAnimalsRehabilitated- this year 250 ● #ofAnimalsMonitored Post Release-2331 ● Average # of service recipients per month-2000 ● #ofrecipients who are employed-1,326 ● #of Clients who report that services and support are available when needed even in a crisis-3148 ● #ofadultswithdisabilities receiving sufficient social and emotional support- 3324 Age groups remaining tasks add the following counts 18-34 = 1192 35-50 = 1206 51-70 = 744 71+ = 182 Total 3,324 = Genders Women1142 Men2182 Total: 3324 Branches of service Army 1497 Navy 574 Marine 496 Air Force 481 Coast Guard 137 1st responders/other 139 Click to view Mission Accomplishments
Those Waiting – A Message of Hope
At Working Dogs for Vets, we receive countless applications from veterans who urgently need the support of a service dog. Many struggle daily with PTSD, mobility challenges, and emotional distress, holding onto the hope that they will soon be matched with a trained companion who can change their life forever.
We understand how difficult waiting can be. Each request represents a veteran who has fought for our country, and now they fight a different battle—a battle for healing, stability, and independence. Unfortunately, funding constraints mean that some veterans must wait longer than we would like. But their stories matter, and we want them to know that help is on the way.
With your support, we can move these veterans off the waiting list and into the next phase of their journey.
Hope in Action – How Donations Make a Difference
When you donate to Working Dogs for Vets, you’re not just giving funds—you’re giving hope to those still waiting. Every contribution allows us to:✅ Train more service dogs to be ready for veterans faster.✅ Expand outreach efforts to ensure veterans get the resources they need.✅ Develop instructional videos so veterans who can’t attend in-person training still have access to guidance.✅ Provide essential supplies for service dog care, ensuring they are healthy and prepared for their future companions.
Every Donation Brings a Veteran Closer to Help
To those veterans waiting for their service dog, we want you to know:💙 You are not forgotten.💙 We see your struggle, and we are fighting for you.💙 Your service matters, and we are working hard to match you with the support you need.💙 With more funding, we can shorten waiting times and get you the help you deserve.
We won’t stop until every veteran who needs a service dog has one. Together, with the support of donors, sponsors, and advocates, we can make this happen.
📢 Want to help reduce wait times and get veterans the support they need? Donate today and be part of the solution!
How You Can Help
Share this blog to raise awareness
The Power of the Dog-Veteran Relationship
The relationship between a dog and a veteran can be life-transforming. Many veterans report feeling renewed purpose after adopting a support dog. This bond can be crucial in aiding recovery from trauma and navigating daily life challenges.
Several stories illustrate this profound impact. One veteran shared that his service dog helped him leave the house again after years of isolation caused by PTSD. Another noted improved mood and interactions with others since adopting his dog. These personal narratives underscore the significant role dogs play in enhancing the lives of veterans.
In many cases, this bond also provides hope and motivation. The commitment to care for and train their dogs instills a sense of responsibility that can inspire veterans to pursue other aspects of life they may have neglected due to their struggles.
Adopting a support dog not only changes the life of veterans but also gives the dogs a loving home. This mutual rescue creates a unique bond that is beneficial for both parties.
Final Thoughts
In summary, dogs offer invaluable support and companionship to veterans, helping them navigate the complex landscape of emotional and mental health challenges. Their ability to provide comfort, encourage physical activity, and facilitate social interactions makes them a perfect match for those who have served.
If you are a veteran considering a support dog, remember that this decision can significantly impact your life. Research different breeds, explore local resources, and embrace the journey of finding a loyal companion. The transformative power of this relationship is well worth it.
Ultimately, dog's love and support may be just the remedy veteran's needs on their healing journey.
Komentar