Providing Service Dogs for Veterans
Currently serving:
Columbus, Ohio &
Atlanta, Georgia
We provide in-home training and personalized public access work, which is why location matters for our program. If you're in one of our service areas, we're ready to help you and your future service dog connect.
Our Rescue Mission
We believe in second chances - for dogs and for veterans.
Every service dog in our program comes from rescue. We identify dogs with incredible potential, provide them with professional training, and match them with the veterans who need them most.
One rescue dog. One veteran. Two lives transformed.
Our Program
Our service dog program is personalized from the very beginning. We start by getting to know each veteran, their needs, and their lifestyle so we can thoughtfully select the right dog for the partnership. From evaluation and matching to training, placement, and lifelong support, every step is designed to create a lasting team.
Veteran Screening & Matching
- Application and screening process
- Lifestyle and needs assessment
- Personalized compatibility evaluation
- Hand-picked dog selection for each veteran
Dog Training & Preparation
- Temperament and behavioral evaluation
- Service task foundation training
- Public access training and socialization
- Partnership-based preparation for placement
Placement & Ongoing Support
- Handler education and bonding sessions
- Guided transition and hand-off coaching
- Follow-up check-ins and adjustments
- Long-term partnership support
Who Can Apply
✓ Military veterans of any era or branch
✓ Healthcare provider documentation recommending a service dog
✓ Medically cleared for dog ownership
✓ Applicants committed to a personalized matching and training process
✓ Stable housing situation
✓ Located in the Columbus, OH or Atlanta, GA area
Program Timeline
Step 1: Application & veteran screening
Step 2: Needs, lifestyle, and compatibility assessment
Step 3: Hand-selected dog matching
Step 4: Dog training and partnership preparation
Step 5: Handler transfer and bonding
Step 6: Placement and ongoing support
We don’t force pre-trained dogs into placements. We get to know the veteran first, then thoughtfully select the right dog for the partnership.
How Placement & Training Work
We're based in Columbus, Ohio and Atlanta, Georgia, bringing our program directly to you.
Our program is designed to build a strong, lasting partnership between each veteran and their service dog. After screening and matching, we guide you through training, bonding, and real-world preparation in a way that feels personal and practical.
We begin by getting to know you, your needs, and your lifestyle. From there, we thoughtfully select a dog whose temperament and potential are the right fit for your future partnership.
Personalized Matching
Your first meeting with your service dog happens in a familiar environment, helping the relationship begin with comfort, calm, and connection.
In-Home Introduction
Training starts where daily life happens most. We work with you in your home so you and your dog can build confidence together from the very beginning.
At-Home Training
As your partnership grows, we expand training into public settings like stores, parks, and other everyday environments so you feel prepared wherever life takes you.
Public Access Training
Placement and Continued Support
When it’s time for placement, we stay involved. From transition guidance to ongoing follow-up, our goal is to support both you and your dog well beyond the hand-off.
Our Goal
To help you and your service dog become a confident, capable team in everyday life.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Everything is 100% free - the service dog, training, and lifetime support. All donated and grant-funded.
-
From application to placement is typically 2-4 months.
-
No pressure! We're here when you're ready. Contact us anytime with questions about whether the program is right for you.
-
Currently, we serve the Columbus, Ohio and Atlanta, Georgia areas. Our approach requires in-home training and personalized public access work in your community, so location matters.
If you're in one of these areas, we'd love to work with you. If you're elsewhere, we recommend connecting with other service dog organizations in your region.
-
Our program specializes in selecting and training rescue dogs specifically matched to each veteran's needs from the beginning.
We've found that separating a veteran from their own dog for the months-long training process creates unnecessary stress on both the human and animal bond. Instead, we match you with a newly trained dog that's ready to support you immediately, while keeping your current dog part of your life.
-
The support doesn't stop. We provide phone support, annual wellness checks, and one-on-one refresher training.
-
Military veterans of any era or branch may apply. We require documentation from a healthcare provider confirming that you could benefit from a service dog and that you are mentally and physically capable of dog ownership.