Mission: Soldier’s Best Friend provides United States military veterans living with combat-related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) with Service or Therapeutic Companion Dogs, most of which are rescued from local shelters. The veteran and dog train together to build a trusting relationship that saves two lives at once and inspires countless others.
Goal: To help our war heroes improve in their symptoms of PTSD, readjust to civilian life, lead a more productive life and rebuild self esteem. We also want to address the pet overpopulation problem by placing shelter or rescued dogs in good homes.
How we work: After the veteran or active military member is accepted to our program, they begin training with our professional trainers. They are provided a rescued/shelter dog or train with their own dog, if it meets our training criteria. Training takes approximately 6-9 months to develop a service dog. The pair attend training classes two times a week. During training the dog lives with the veteran. There is NO cost to the veteran for placement, training and basic supplies.
Cost to Pair, Equip and Train: Approximately $4,000 per team
Facts & Figures since May 2011
Teams currently in training (as of October 2017) 48
Accepted into program 416
Graduated teams (as of October 2017) 195
Dogs rescued from local shelters 116+