Veteran’s Day is November 11 and if you’re like us you want to do more to honor the holiday and our nation’s veterans. Knowing the benefit animals can have in people’s lives and the incredible work military dogs do, many charitable groups work to bridge these two groups. Here are five charity groups that work with dogs and veterans.
Canine Companions®
Canine Companions partners disabled veterans with service dogs. These dogs are expertly trained to serve veterans with physical and trauma-related disabilities, and perform essential tasks to make their lives easier.
Additionally, in 2018, Canine Companions launched a new program designed to partner service veterans with PTSD with a service dog trained to aid in their treatment. These dogs are not only trained by the charity, but they are also provided to the veterans free of charge. Learn more about how you can help here.
Gizmo’s Gift®
Gizmo’s Gift works to help military working dogs. Though not what you expect to be honored on Veteran’s Day, they are still considered veterans thanks to the work of founder Lisa Phillips, who worked with Congress to reclassify Military Working Dogs (MWD) from “equipment” to a Canine Member of the Armed Forces.
Gizmo’s Gift works to benefit military dogs by providing financial assistance to families interested in adopting and caring for K9 veterans. They also work to educate the public about the service military K9s provide not only to their respective service branches, but to the nation as a whole.
K9s for Warriors®
K9s for Warriors is the largest provider of service dogs for injured veterans in the U.S. “Determined to end veteran suicide, K9s for Warriors provides highly-trained Service Dogs to military veterans suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and/or military sexual trauma.”
K9s for Warriors works with dogs adopted from high-kill rescue shelters, so not only do veterans benefit from their work, but the dogs they train are given a new purpose and chance at life.
America’s VetDogs®
America’s Vet Dogs specializes in matching service dogs to U.S. veterans, active-duty service members, and first responders. Their programs help veterans live more independent lives despite their injuries.
“VetDogs trains and places service dogs for those with physical disabilities; guide dogs for individuals who are blind or have low vision; service dogs to help mitigate the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder; and facility dogs as part of the rehabilitation process in military and VA hospitals.”
The breadth of their charitable work allows them to partner with major veteran groups, including the Department of Veteran Affairs, all military branches, and the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.
Support Our Troops® America’s Military Charity®
Support Our Troops provides dozens of services to Military Service Members and their families, including K9 Service Members. Their K9 Soldier Treats program helps provide K9 service members and their handlers with the supplies they need while serving our nation. From K9 cooling vests, goggles, and dog bowls to jerky treats, grooming tools, and collapsible dog bowls, Support Our Troops collects donations and gets them to K9 units. This makes the lives of these service dogs more comfortable and helps them bond with their handlers while they put their lives on the line.
Helping U.S. service members of all species is a great way to honor their sacrifices this Veteran’s Day. Whether you help one of the veteran’s charities listed above or find another way to help, you’re doing a lot of good.
