Helping Veterans with Service Dog Partnerships

Service dogs play an essential role in saving veterans lives. They provide emotional support, companionship, undying love, and complete dedication making daily life more manageable. Our goal is to provide the veteran with a reason to live. Every veteran who has received a service dog has shown significant improvements in their quality of life and mental health. A service dog gives the veteran a reason to live. In the 17 years of placing service dogs with veterans, we have not lost one veteran to suicide who's received a dog. Discover how a service dog can change a veterans life.

Training service dogs is an essential part of our mission at Service Dogs for Veterans NC. We focus on teaching the veteran to train their dog the skills they need to assist them effectively.  This training process ensures that each dog is prepared for their important role, fostering strong relationships between the dogs and the veteran. It also gives the veteran a mission and a sense of accomplishment as they progress together. The training includes three phases that begin after the dog is approximately six months old and the bond between veteran and dog has been established. Phase 1 Good Conduct: Veteran teaches their dog the basic commands that they will be using. Phase 2 Sociability: Veteran and dog learn how to go into business and other social situations while maintain behavior and control of dog.  Phase 3 Abandonment: Dog is trained to stay for extended period of time even when the veteran walks outside of the view of their dog. Upon completion of the certification the dog and veteran will be nationally registered as a service dog unit. The length of training varies as veteran service dog units only move towards the next phase when mastery is demonstrated. 

Mark your calendar for our upcoming community events with Service Dogs for Veterans NC. These gatherings offer a chance to learn more about our work, connect with veterans, and see how service dogs are trained. Your participation helps spread awareness and fosters a sense of community among supporters and veterans alike.

Volunteering with Service Dogs for Veterans NC provides a fulfilling way to give back to the veteran community. We are always in need of dedicated volunteers to assist with various tasks, from waling in parades to event planning. Your time and skills can make a real difference in the lives of those who have served our country. 

Your donations save veterans lives and make a significant impact on the work we do at Service Dogs for Veterans NC. Every dollar contributes to training service dogs, providing necessary supplies, and supporting veterans in need. It costs an average of $1200-$1500 per dog to train and certify them. Help us continue our mission by donating today. Together, we can provide hope and save veterans lives across North Carolina.