Working Dogs for Vets

To provide trained service dogs to veterans at no out-of-pocket cost to the veteran.

To reduce suicide rates among our veterans.

To help reduce overpopulation among shelters.

To provide education and training about service dogs and our programs.

To train additional service dog trainers to help veterans in need.

No Veteran Left Behind Program. Pairs veterans in need of service dogs with volunteer trainers in the veteran's area. This eliminates much of the need to come to the WDFV facility for training. Before a veteran is entered into the program, WDFV ensures the following. That the veteran has been medically prescribed a service dog.
That the veteran is capable of caring for a dog. That the veteran understands what will be involved to train a service dog. Once the veteran is enrolled in the NVLB Program, WDFV uses their nationwide network of volunteers, find a volunteer trainer local to the veteran, to evaluate the veteran's current dog to see if their dog might be able to be trained as their service dog. If their dog will not work we will find a suitable candidate by way of evaluation and adoption. Additionally to check in with the team weekly. We have been building a nationwide network of professional dog trainers who are willing to donate their time to help veterans by evaluating and helping veterans to train their service dogs. As well as building a nationwide network of shelters that are willing to donate dogs to the program. We have been Instructing Veterans how to train their own service dogs and Volunteer trainers check in on their progress helping veterans with advice and reporting results back to us. In-House program training dogs for severely disabled vets.

Since our founding in 2002, Working Dogs For Vets (W.D.F.V.) has professionally trained, provided, and supported service dogs for disabled veterans and family members, individuals with physical, mental, and cognitive disabilities. Our small but highly-skilled and dedicated volunteer board members, along with a large and enthusiastic community of volunteers, have earned us recognition as a leader in the service dog industry.
We Launched the No Veteran Left Behind Program (N.V.L.B.) in 2014 which enables disabled veterans and their family members, individuals with physical, mental, and cognitive disabilities to train their own service dog with our technical support as well as a Network of volunteer professional dog handlers.
Of particular note is our trainers' thoughtful approach to matching the “right" dog to the “right" recipient. The team's bond is firmly established during W.D.F.V.'s rigorous Team Training program, where dogs and recipients work together to ensure a strong and healthy partnership. The W.D.F.V. and N.V.L.B. trainers' comprehensive follow-up support system then ensures the continued success of each team.
WDFV programs are recognized as meeting (and oftentimes, exceeding) the highest standards in the service-dog industry. This acknowledgment includes compliments of the highest order from the principal accrediting organization in the service dog field, as well as an “exceptional" rating from the VA administrative center, and military bases across the U.S. indicating both the efficiency of WDFV day-to-day operations and its ability to sustain its mission over time.

Working Dogs For Vets helps veterans of all eras. Some are on active duty, but all are heroes and have served in the military. Many of our veterans suffer from Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), both of which can be deadly disorders.
We also help disabled veterans who have had a loss of limb(s), and many other disabilities.
Service dogs, properly trained, are amazing for recovery from PTSD, TBI, and other disabilities. We have been honored to serve these brave men and women that have given this country so much.
There is no charge for our service, it is our duty, honor, and privilege. We support our team's training for life!
We have events that our teams are welcome to attend. Many lodge locally or camp at our facility, where they train and learn to re-enter civilian life. We are a small charity doing huge work and making a difference. Our men and women of our military fought for our tomorrows, so we fight for their tomorrows today.
Our programs have been very successful, proving amazing results in recovery, but the need is critical and empowers us to continue.

From 7/2021-6/30/2022, WDFV has grown to 3008 members.
So far this year WDFV paired and trained 535 veteran/dog teams while continuing to serve over 999 teams monthly. That's 1070 lives saved because of each person's contributions. Many of these service dogs were trained in-house at the Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, & Kentucky, and Ohio locations. Our family is growing and more veterans are being helped because of your support!

2021 Progress Report " Working Dogs For Vets is a nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization!
Mission Accomplishments for the Year 7/1/21- 6/30/22
3008 Total Members 7/1/2021-6/30/22 (535 new this year)
162 Dogs to evaluate
62 veterans need to be matched with adopted dogs
Adopted dogs this year 229 (new total 1840)
167 Teams across the U.S. working on basics and continuing to train for Service Dog In-Training Evaluation
101 Service Dogs In-Training learning tasks to become a Service Dog
75 Service Dog Graduates this year. We recertify yearly but many continue to train, visit, and volunteer.
Suicides this year (0)
Dogs passed away 3 this year
2 Animals Rehomed this yr 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.
# of Animals Rehabilitated- this yr 1611
# of Animals Monitored Post Release-1611
Average # of service recipients per month-2000
# of recipients who are employed-1,179
# of Clients who report that services and support is available when needed even in a crisis-2981
# of adults with disabilities receiving sufficient social and emotional support- 3006
Age groups remaining tasks add the following counts
18-34 = 1067
35-50 = 1128
51-70 = 671
71+ = 142
Total 3,006 =
Genders
Women 976
Men 2032
Total: 3,008
Branches of service
Army 1467
Navy 519
Marine 401
Air Force 386
Coast Guard 100
1st responders/other 135

What is next... When we complete the building project at HQ we plan on training the trainers to help and eventually have more facilities across the USA local to veterans.

Quick Facts:
Founded: 2012
Incorporated and Non-profit status 501(c)(3): 2015
Service dog graduates: 588
Recertification Rate: 91%
Total of dogs rescued: 1611
Volunteers: Over 1000 active volunteers serving over 40 hrs per week
Awards: Eagle Rare Life Award 2016
GuideStar Seal Of Transparency
Listed on Great Non-Profits