VAlanthropy is proud to give our disabled veterans the gift of independence by partnering with a highly skilled service dog. Service dogs are placed at no cost or fundraising requirement to the Veteran. Our disabled veterans are screened and vetted before being paired with a puppy trained to meet specific needs. This is a commitment of ten years or more, and it should not be taken lightly.
On average, our Service Dogs train for four to eight months before they pass our Service Dog standards. Once they have passed, they’re ready to be paired with a disabled Veteran. Service animals are more than pets; they play a crucial role in improving the quality of life for individuals with physical and emotional disabilities and their families.
Veterans often experience anxiety, panic attacks, flashbacks, or other debilitating symptoms. Their service dog can intervene meaningfully, from providing physical contact to creating a distraction, fetching medication, opening doors, retrieving dropped items, or more complex interventions like turning lights on and off, giving balance and stability, creating situational awareness for the veteran, or alerting someone in an emergency.
Our service animals help their veteran navigate social environments more efficiently. They serve as a social bridge between the veteran and others, including their friends and family. This is crucial to many veterans who may otherwise feel isolated. They will allow the veteran to once again live with self-reliance and pride.