There are several resources available for Veterans who are looking for service and support animals. Please note that emotional support animals are not covered by federal laws protecting the use of service animals.
CHAMP Assistance Dogs is a nonprofit organization based in St. Louis, MO. We utilize the love and healing power of dogs to improve the lives of people in our community. We help people with disabilities lead lives of greater independence through the placement of skilled Public Access and Home-Based Service Dogs.
We enhance our community through our Therapy Dog Program, which trains and coordinates over 100 teams who brighten the day of children and adults in hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, schools, and universities.
We help children and adults become more educated, caring individuals through our Education Program. We offer a variety of topics including kindness to animals, how service animals can assist a person with a disability, and the rights of individuals using service animals in public places.
Phone (920) 268-4199
D2DT creates an opportunity to save at risk, rescued, or donated dogs, train them, and place them with deserving service members who have been diagnosed with post combat stress and anxiety. The purpose is to provide the veteran, at no cost, a trained dog that they can gain a constant companion to help them cope with their unique challenges in everyday life.
Dogs 4 Valor offers a heartfelt 6 to 9-month training and certification program for service dogs, specifically designed to support retired veterans and first responders. Our program nurtures a deep and trusting relationship between each handler and their dog, equipping them to face challenges like anxiety, depression, and PTSD together. Through this transformative journey, we're committed to enhancing our heroes' day-to-day lives and overall mental well-being. Dogs 4 Valor offers at no cost: We'll evaluate your current dog or help you find the perfect companion. We supply everything your service dog needs during training. Post-graduation, we offer ongoing support and recertification.
Dogs 4 Valor serves retired veterans and first responders who have been diagnosed with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in the Kansas City Metro area.
An emotional support animal (ESA) is just what it sounds like—a pet that provides emotional support. ESAs do not need any special training, beyond the normal training a pet needs. In order to get the benefits of an ESA, you will need a “prescription” from a mental health professional. Check out this website for more information on this topic.
Phone (417) 312-7484
They strive to pair the right canine with the right Veteran.
Phone (904) 686-1956
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. They claim to be the largest provider of service dogs to Veterans.
Jason Howe
Jefferson City, Missouri
K9s on The Front Line is a Maine-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing certified, trained service dogs to military Veterans who are affected by PTSD and/or TBI, at no cost to our Veterans.
Phone (573) 578-2141
They provide Missouri military Veterans, and First Responders suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) with a trained Service dog, most of these dogs of which will be rescued from local shelters.
Phone (972) 772-3282
The mission of Patriot PAWS Service Dogs is to train and provide service dogs of the highest quality at no cost to disabled American veterans and others with mobile disabilities in order to help restore their physical and emotional independence.
Phone (800) 227-4645
American Humane’s Pups4Patriots program finds dogs in search of forever homes and trains them to be lifesaving service dogs for veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress or Traumatic Brain Injury.
Individuals with disabilities may use service animals and emotional support animals for a variety of reasons. This guide provides an overview of how major Federal civil rights laws govern the rights of a person requiring a service animal. These laws, as well as instructions on how to file a complaint, are listed in the last section of this publication. Many states also have laws that provide a different definition of service animal. You should check your state’s law and follow the law that offers the most protection for service animals. The document discusses service animals in a number of different settings as the rules and allowances related to access with service animals will vary according to the law applied and the setting.
Phone (866) 838-3647
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. It costs over $50,000 to breed, raise, train, and place one assistance dog; however, all of VetDogs’ services are provided at no charge to the individual. Funding comes from the generosity of individuals, corporations, foundations, businesses, and community organizations