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Pups4Patriots
Specially trained service dogs for veterans and retired first responders, provided at no cost.
Pups4Patriots™ provides specially trained service dogs to military veterans and retired first responders diagnosed with post-traumatic stress (PTS) and/or traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Research shows that specially trained service dogs can help reduce stress and anxiety levels, ease depression, improve social reintegration and restore confidence.
Yet many obstacles prevent these heroes from gaining access to quality service dogs. Waiting lists are long and the process is expensive, with training that can cost more than $30,000 per dog. Pups4Patriots removes both barriers, covering the full cost of each trained service dog through the generosity of donors.
How Pups4Patriots Works
Every Pups4Patriots placement starts with an application. Veterans and retired first responders can apply online at no cost. There are no fees at any stage of the process — the dog, training and support are fully covered.
After applying, participants complete a mental health screening and must be actively working with a licensed therapist. The adjustment period after receiving a service dog can be stressful, and ongoing therapy helps individuals build and apply symptom management skills.
Once accepted, participants are matched with a dog trained according to American Humane Society’s service dog standards. This approach is informed by a Scientific Advisory Committee of veteran experts, mental health professionals, scientists, animal welfare specialists, veterinarians, dog trainers and other key advocates. These guidelines help ensure humane animal welfare and maximize the efficacy of service dogs as a treatment method for veterans and retired first responders with PTS and TBI.
After pairing, participants and their dogs train together to build the foundation of their working relationship. When training is complete, they return home with their service dog and continued support from the Pups4Patriots training team.
Who Pups4Patriots Serves
Pups4Patriots serves all veterans and retired first responders who meet our program’s criteria, which include:
- A diagnosis of PTS, including MST, and/or TBI
- Active work with a licensed mental health therapist
- Completing an assessment that determines whether a service dog will support the healing process.
Veterans
An estimated 29% of veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan experience PTS at some point in their life, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and nearly one in four are diagnosed with traumatic brain injury. These conditions often overlap and compound each other, making diagnosis and treatment more difficult.
Pups4Patriots pairs veterans with specially trained service dogs to help manage symptoms and rebuild daily routines supporting long-term stability through care and compassion.
Female veterans
The program recognizes the unique challenges faced by female veterans, who are often disproportionately affected due to fewer support resources and higher instances of military sexual trauma (MST). About one in three female veterans report experiencing MST, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Learn More About Women and Pups4Patriots
Retired first responders
More than 80% of first responders experience traumatic events on the job, leading roughly one in three to develop PTS.
In response, Pups4Patriots extends to those who served on our emergency frontlines, including emergency and rescue personnel, police officers and firefighters.
Our Impact
To date, Pups4Patriots has provided more than 300 healing leashes to veterans and retired first responders at no cost. Each service dog team represents an investment of more than $30,000, made possible by supporters who believe in the healing power of the human-animal bond.
The American Humane Society Sanctuary in Palm City, Florida will soon become the national training headquarters for the Pups4Patriots program. It will expand the program’s capacity and serve as a cornerstone of our commitment to the retired first responders and veterans who have selflessly served our communities and our country.
Common Questions About Pups4Patriots
Pups4Patriots provides service dogs to veterans and retired first responders diagnosed with PTS or TBI. There is no cost for the trained dog. Applicants must be working with a licensed mental health therapist and submit an application through American Humane Society.
Pups4Patriots supports veterans and retired first responders with a diagnosis of PTS, including Military Sexual Trauma (MST) or TBI.
Research shows that specially trained service dogs can reduce stress and anxiety, ease depression, improve social reintegration and restore confidence. Pups4Patriots requires recipients to be active in mental health therapy so the service dog can be integrated into the handler’s symptom management techniques.
Pups4Patriots is operated by American Humane Society, the country’s first national humane organization. The program is provided at no cost and serves both military veterans and retired first responders. It is guided by an independent Scientific Advisory Committee of experts in veteran mental health, animal welfare and veterinary science and grounded in rigorous science-based standards.
Scientific Advisory Committee
We rely on this distinguished group of experts who help shape procedures, guidelines, policies and ethics to support strong outcomes for both the individual and their service dog.