Military

Military

We are committed to helping America’s veterans and recognizing their heroic contributions to our country – both on and off of the battlefield

American Humane has been First to Serve with the U.S. military for a century: Our animal rescue program was born on the battlefields of World War I Europe, where, at the request of the U.S. Secretary of War, volunteers with American Humane deployed to rescue and care for 68,000 wounded war horses each month. We continue to proudly honor this legacy today through American Humane’s Lois Pope LIFE Center for Military Affairs. The program, founded through the generosity of philanthropist and passionate veterans advocate, Lois Pope, offers meaningful support to our Armed Forces with two key areas of focus: first, providing lifesaving service dogs to veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress or Traumatic Brain Injury; second, protecting America’s hard-working military dogs and recognizing their heroic contributions to our country – both on and off of the battlefield.

Service Dogs for Veterans

Our Pups4Patriots™ program trains dogs in need of forever homes to become service animals for veterans who are struggling with post-traumatic stress (PTS) and traumatic brain injury (TBI).

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About American Humane Lois Pope LIFE Center for Military Affairs

Philanthropist Lois Pope is one of the nation’s leading advocates for America’s active-duty military, veterans, and military animals.

The driving force behind the establishment of the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial in Washington, D.C., the nation’s first and only permanent public tribute to the four million living disabled veterans and those who have died, she recently endowed the American Humane Lois Pope LIFE Center for Military Affairs. The Center builds on American Humane’s 100 years of work with the U.S. military by providing life-changing, life-saving programs to:

  • Help military K-9 teams on and off the battlefield
  • Help veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress and Traumatic Brain Injury obtain lifesaving service dogs
  • Reunite retired military dogs who are left overseas with their former handlers
  • Support military families in need with healing therapy animals
  • Recognize and honor the life-saving contributions of military hero dogs
  • Provide healthcare to America’s four-legged warriors when they finish service to their country so that they can enjoy the healthy, happy retirement they so richly deserve

With her help – and yours – American Humane is opening a second century of caring for our military heroes – at both ends of the leash.

Military Initiatives

Pups4Patriots for Women 

American Humane Pups4Patriots™ provides lifesaving service dogs for veterans and first responders with Post-Traumatic Stress or Traumatic Brain Injury — with a special emphasis on serving women. Since 1948, when…

Pups4Patriots

American Humane Pups4Patriots™ trains dogs in search of forever homes to be lifesaving service dogs, offering them at no cost to veterans and first responders with Post-Traumatic Stress or Traumatic…

Emergency Veterinary Grants for Military Dogs

Like their human counterparts in our armed forces, lifesaving military dogs can sustain serious and lasting wounds on the battlefield and suffer health challenges in their retirements. American Humane is dedicated…

Military Working Dog Reunifications

After years of being classified as “equipment” with thousands of Military Working Dogs being disposed of or left overseas, American Humane worked with Congress to require that Military Working Dogs…

Service Dogs: What you need to know

Service dogs can reduce stress and anxiety levels and help veterans mitigate the symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress and Traumatic Brain Injury that all-too-often arise when they return home from the…

America's two and four legged veterans served us - now let's serve them.

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News & Updates

American Humane Pups4Patriots Program Joins Ultra Intelligence & Communications at Association of the United States Army Conference

WASHINGTON, D.C., October 31, 2024 — On October 14-16, American Humane, the country’s first national animal welfare organization, joined Ultra Intelligence & Communications (Ultra I&C) at the Association of the United States Army Conference (AUSA) Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. to help spread awareness about the Pups4Patriots Program. At AUSA, American Humane proudly highlighted the profound impact of Ultra Intelligence &…
October 31, 2024

American Humane Reunites Retired Military Working Dog with his Former Army Handler After Years Apart

WASHINGTON, D.C., October 16, 2024 — Recently, American Humane reunited a retired military working dog, Dasty, with his former U.S. Army Sergeant and handler, Michael, during a touching reunion in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Dasty is a 10-year-old Dutch Shepherd and served as an explosives detection and patrol dog. Dasty and Michael spent four years together, including 10 months in Afghanistan.…
October 16, 2024

American Humane’s military program is made possible through the generous support of our sponsors: