SERVICE DOGS FOR VETERANS

Because the symptoms of these diagnoses adversely impact every aspect of the Veteran's life, our goal is to first transform a Veteran with no dog handling knowledge and a dog with little or no manners or obedience into an elite service dog team. This accomplishment, along with now having a new 'battle buddy" by his/her side 24/7, results in the Veteran reclaiming his/her confidence, independence, and hope for the future. SD4V pairs the Veteran with a rescued dog and underwrites the extensive training for the two with a scholarship covering over 90% of the cost. As a result, out-of-pocket costs for the participating Veteran are minimized, and, thus, more Veterans can receive the assistance needed.

• The SD4V program is a six-to-seven-month program that provides a personalized agenda for each Veteran entering the program. The Veteran and his/her dog move through training, which includes beginner, intermediate, and advanced dog obedience training. The next phase of training is Task training, whereby the dog becomes sensitized to its Veteran's specific needs. The final phase of the program includes and Public Access training and the graduation test. Upon graduation, the Veteran and his/her dog are an ADA (Americans with Disability Act) compliant service dog team.
• Through all phases of this program, the Veteran will have a “Veteran Advocate" by his/her side in every class and available 7 days a week to support and encourage progress.

SD4V's Chief Executive, Bill Brightman, served in the US Navy for 4 years during the Vietnam War and subsequently earned a BSME degree on the GI Bill. Following a 27-year career as a Licensed Professional Engineer with a Fortune 500 company, Bill founded and grew two businesses. After moving to Greenville, SC in 2014, utilizing his skills and experience in rehabilitating dogs, Bill founded Service Dogs for Veterans, with training partner, Connie Cleveland of Dog Trainers Workshop. He is a member of the International Association of Canine Professionals and an approved AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator.
The Service Dogs for Veterans team includes 22 dedicated volunteers; among them are several military veterans and family members with first-hand knowledge of the conditions which SD4V program veterans are experiencing. Retired Army Colonel Rick Schwartz joined the BOD in 2021, bringing 30 years of experience in leadership and team building. Lead Trainer, Jessica Bimmermann, is a skilled and knowledgeable dog trainer. She specializes in obedience training, task training and requirements for achieving ADA-compliant service dogs. Another key member of the SD4V team is Dr. Michael Merrell, MD, currently a member of the SD4V Board of Directors while continuing his practice in Family Medicine. Cy Burgess is a Certified Public Accountant and serves as Treasurer on SD4V's Board of Directors.
Communication to the Upstate South Carolina and North Carolina community and to Veterans who could potentially participate in the SD4V training is an on-going strategy for the organization. This strategy is achieved via a comprehensive social media campaign designed and maintained by a skilled Webmaster who is also a military Veteran and graduate of the SD4V program. Our Community Outreach Coordinator expands this educational effort, working with charitable organizations and community groups in areas of fundraising and grant writing. Our most effective communicators, however, are the proud graduates of the SD4V program who go out into the community and speak on our behalf. They are committed to sharing the effects of their war-related diagnoses and the changes that they have achieved now that they have a service dog that was made possible by completing the SD4V program.
Service Dogs for Veterans' Dog-Evaluation Team is highly skilled at identifying shelter dogs with the traits necessary to become good service dogs. This is an important piece of the success SD4V has achieved.

Founded in 2014, Service Dogs for Veterans has experienced extremely impressive results. In 2015, 7 Service Dog Teams completed their training; by the end of 2021, 93 teams had become “Battle Buddies." An additional 9 Service Dog Teams have achieved ADA-compliance status as of the end of May, 2022, with another 31 teams currently registered for training.