PATRIOT PAWS SERVICE DOGS
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
With more than 22 Veterans committing suicide every day in the United States, Patriot PAWS offers hope & promise to an entire sector of the American population in dire need. The RAND Center for Military Health Policy Research found that 18% of Veterans who served in either Iraq or Afghanistan suffer from either major depression or Post-Traumatic Stress (PTSD). 19% of Veterans with depression or PTS have experienced a traumatic brain injury. With an increasing amount of research quantifying the therapeutic benefits of companion dogs and therapy dogs on human health and wellbeing, there has been an increased focus on quantifying the physical, psychological, and social effects that assistance dogs may have on their handlers. Research has indicated that beyond the physical or tangible benefits that an assistance dog provides, the assistance dog's companionship, emotional and social support in public may be particularly salient to improving the quality of life
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Patriot PAWS Service Dogs
Service dogs are acquired through breeders and rescues and are carefully evaluated prior to selection and only the best become candidates, graduate, and are certified as service dogs. As a part of their evaluation before acceptance into the program, the dogs receive X-rays, blood work, and temperament testing. Once a dog is accepted for training, the goal is to teach the dog commands that meet the ADI Public Certification Test.
It takes 2.5 years to train one service dog at a cost of up to $35,000, and training begins immediately upon acquisition, regardless of the dog’s age, which can range from 6 week to 14 months. Each dog trained at Patriot PAWS is customized to the individual’s unique needs with the goal of increasing self-sufficiency. Patriot PAW is committed to working with the matched Veterans/individuals and dogs as they learn to work together as a team. This is ensured through follow-up visits and quarterly calls to ensure a successful placement.
Team (Veteran/ Service Dog) Training Program
Disabled Veterans attend a 10-day training period, referred to as graduation to receive their service dog. This training period teaches the Veterans the cues necessary to handle their service dog and enable their service dog to help them in return. Additionally, the Veterans are introduced and oriented on general dog health care and medical needs, maintenance and grooming, basic nutrition, traveling with a service dog, and information on ADA laws and service dog etiquette. Along with the 10-day training period, Patriot PAWS training staff conduct follow-up visits with the Veterans at their homes for further customization and training.
Prison Training Program
In 2008, Patriot PAWS expanded its serviced dog training program to include a partnership with TDCJ. The partnership is intended to provide help not only for disabled Veterans, but opportunities for inmates to have a job while serving their sentence, learning a career trade, and giving back to the community. The goal of the program is to train inmates to train service dogs for Veterans and others with disabilities.
The benefits for the inmates and society are extensive. In this program, inmates are taught a skill set (training service dogs) that can be used immediately upon their release back into the community as a means for employment. This has a direct impact on reducing the recidivism (re-offender) rate. Another accomplishment that exemplifies the Patriot PAWS program’s importance and worth is helping inmates re-enter society and become productive individuals. It is important to point out that from the start of the program in 2008 to the current, the recidivism rate is 2%.
Patriot PAWS Puppy Raiser Program
In addition to the prison training program, Patriot PAWS also has an extensive and extremely involved Puppy Raiser Program. This is a full-time volunteer program, where individuals donate their time 24/7 for an extended period. These volunteers take dogs home and teach them house-manners, basic training cues, and advanced service dog training cues. Additionally, many of the puppy raisers take the dogs with them to work and on everyday outings, such as grocery shopping, to get them accustomed to public environments. Puppy raisers are also required to attend weekly puppy training classes at the Patriot PAWS training center
The Patriot PAWS at Aggieland Program
Patriot PAWS has initiated a collaboration program with Texas A&M University to participate in the service dog-training program. This is a university-sanctioned program and includes 150 students that help to socialize service dogs and meet public access certification standards. Due to its success, Patriot PAWS has continued to develop this well-established service dog training program at A&M, including having a fully equipped training center with three trainers onsite. The dogs are handled by the students and live in the dorms or student homes with the students. The Patriot PAWS trainers are on-site 5 days a week and the students meet with a trainer on a weekly basis.
Where we work
Awards
2011 Governor's Criminal Justice Volunteer Service Award 2011
Texas Department of Criminal Justice
Lori Stevens names 1 of 5 women in the U.S. that is making a difference. 2009
NBC Nightly News With Brian Williams
Lori Stevens, Woman of the Year 2009
American Legion Auxiliary
Archie, Dog of the Year 2009
ASPCA
Texas Animal Hall of Fame award for "Justice" for devotion to mankind through unselfish and courageous service. 2011
Texas Veterinary Medical Foundation
External reviews
Photos
Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of veterans with PTSD served
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Veterans, People with disabilities
Related Program
Patriot PAWS Service Dogs
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
We have placed fully certified service dogs with these veterans
Number of service dogs provided to veterans
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Veterans, People with disabilities
Related Program
Patriot PAWS Service Dogs
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Number of fully certified service dogs provided to veterans
Number of applicants applying for service dogs
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Veterans, People with disabilities
Related Program
Patriot PAWS Service Dogs
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
The number of veterans that have completed applications for service dogs
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
- November 2014 we reached one goal by adding a new Prison Training Program in our first men's unit within TDCJ to compliment our Prison Training Program already established in two women's units.
- Another goal realized, upon adding the men's unit, is the addition of our PTSD Dog Training Program using rescue dogs.
- 2015 Capital Campaign for expanding our facility to meet the need of our organization to place increased numbers of service dogs with disabled veterans.
-Continually train prison inmates to train service dogs for disabled veterans in partnership with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) on an ongoing basis.
-Continually train puppy raisers and college students to train service dogs for disabled veterans and provide socialization for these dogs on an ongoing basis.
-Put a leash in the hands of every applicant
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
The Patriot PAWS programs address a number of needs in the community. Disabled veterans and other disabled members of society will regain lost independence and emotional stability through the Patriot PAWS service dogs program. Prison inmates will have the opportunity to learn a new vocation and give back to society while incarcerated. Rescue and shelter dogs are given a new lease on life and will help to change people's lives. The current population served includes all of the United States and is inclusive of all socio-economic backgrounds, ethnicities, genders, ages and geographic locations.
Our current program are: Service Dog Training Program, Veteran/Service Dog Team Training Program, Prison Training Program, Puppy Raiser Program, and the Patriot PAWS at Aggieland Program.
Service Dog Training Program: Dogs begin training immediately, regardless of age, and train for 1 1/2 to 2 years.
Team Training Program: Disabled veterans attend a 10-day training period, referred to as "graduation," to receive their service dogs.
Prison Training Program: Train prison inmates to train service dogs the basic service dog behaviors, mentor them and teach them a trade helpful upon release. They live with their dogs in dormitory-like space in each unit, which include outdoor areas for the dogs. There is also a shared training facility onsite.
Puppy Raiser Program: These are extremely involved, full-time volunteer trainers who donate their time 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for an extended period. They take dogs home and teach them house-manners, basic training cues, and advanced service dog training cues. Many take the dogs with them to work and on everyday outings, such as trips to the grocery store.
Patriot PAWS at Aggieland Program: Patriot PAWS has initiated a collaboration program with Texas A&M University to participate in the service dog training program. This is a university-sanctioned program and includes over 80 students that help to socialize service dogs and meet public access certification standards. Oversight of this program is conducted by Patriot PAWS certified trainers and onsite student moderators.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Patriot PAWS trains and places high quality service dogs with disabled veterans and others with mobility disabilities and PTSD. Service dogs are acquired through breeders and local animal shelters. Each dog trained at Patriot PAWS is customized to the individual needs of the owner with the goal of increasing self-sufficiency. These needs, both physical and mental, can vary greatly, from getting assistance in emergencies, to helping with chores, to providing comfort for those with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI). The following is a partial list of what Patriot PAWS service dogs do to assist disabled veterans in accomplishing daily tasks that would otherwise be difficult or impossible: get help in emergencies; open and close doors; provide bracing to stand, walk, and sit down; take off shoes and socks; pick up and retrieve items; pull wheelchairs; help with chores, such as laundry.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
A total of 266 dogs have been placed since the program's inception, and there are now approximately 100 dogs in the program. These dogs are divided between the puppy raisers as well as the student puppy raisers in our Aggieland program; inmates, and senior trainers in Rockwall, TX. The Patriot PAWS success rate for all placed service dogs is approximately 65% compared to an industry standard of 46%. Additionally, for prison inmates involved in the Patriot PAWS Prison Program, the recidivism rate has dropped to 1%.
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
PATRIOT PAWS SERVICE DOGS
Board of directorsas of 08/26/2022
Mitzi Brown
BRIX Holdings, LLC
Lori Stevens
Patriot PAWS Service Dogs
Mike Kovar
Fritz Industries
David Margulies
The Margulies Communication Group
Elaine Ford
Hillwood Communities
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? No -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? No -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? No -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
The organization's co-leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
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Sexual orientation
Disability
No data