Service dogs are part of the Solution to Reduce Veteran's Suicide.
We rescue, train, and pair service dogs with Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, and disabled military veterans. Provide training, supplies, school, classes, and retreats. Helping reduce veteran suicide. 3200+ Teams Served.
WDFV has three programs:
-Prison Programs (Inmate trained service dogs)
-In-House Program (Service Dogs are Trained, Matched and given to veterans.)
-And the No Veteran Left Behind Program (helps veterans owner-train service dogs.)
Services WDFV Provides:
Dog Basic and advanced obedience, Socialization, Task Training, Dog Adoption, Matching services, Classes and
training sessions. We offer lodging to veterans for training, Dock Diving and water therapy, Dog Agility, Dog
Grooming, and provide meals to veterans. We do not charge veterans for our services. There is no Application fees.
We also supply veterans with needed training tools and medical equipment.
Type Of Service Dogs WDFV Helps with:
Psychiatric Service Dogs, Medical, or Mobility Service Dogs, Multi Task trained Service Dogs.
WDFV gives veterans and rescue dogs purpose with advocacy efforts to eliminate veteran suicide. Hearing veterans' stories pushes WDFV to face financial adversity head-on.
“People ask me why I do it. How can you not do it?” Founder Kenneth Knabenshue asked.
If you just talk to the veterans I think they explaign better. Veterans Voices
“I had a grenade go off…took my hand off instantly. Gangrene in the leg,” Army veteran Richard Smith.
“When I drop stuff, Eli picks it up for me,” said Smith. Service dog Eli is highly trained also helping to retrieve dropped items,
helping with mobility and stability, medical assistance, and medical reminders. He also helps Richard with dressing, will tug
to help remove clothing like his jacket, or socks, and many other tasks.
“I did the first Gulf War,” Confined to a wheelchair with the use of only one arm.“ServiceDog Hank opens doors, explained Navy veteran Lonn Cunningham, a quadriplegic bilateral amputee. WDFV build accessible housing provided a place for Lonn, his wife Phillis, to stay while they helped to train Hank, "I know if it wasnt for this cabin, I wouln't be able to do this, I couldn't afford to stay in a hotel for however long it takes. They've though of it all here. “Oh my God. How does that not move you?” asked Cunningham. “To save a veteran. To save a dog. Do it for one or the other. Do it for both.”
“I depend on Anna because I can’t hear,” Pam Douglas, Vietnam Army Veteran.
Vietnam Era Veteran Era with hearing loss. "Sounds are taken for granted until you lose your hearing and can't hear them
anymore. It changes your life in so many ways. Little things become big things, a knock on the door, a smoke alarm sounding,
an alarm clock buzzing. I became fearful and didn't want to leave my home alone because I could not hear what was going on
around me. Yes, a silent world is very scary. Anna, I am sure had some scary times at the beginning of her life as well. She was
a stray that a shelter had taken in. She was nine months old and needed a home. We have been together ever since. Anna and
I would make the 2-hour drive to and from WDFV weekly for her to get training. As her training progressed, we started making
the trip monthly. It has been over three years now, and we still make the trip to WDFV. The programs at WDFV are not just
about training the dog. It is about helping the Veteran and the Veteran's Family. It truly is
Saving Lives At Both Ends Of The Leash!" Thanks to WDFV, Anna and I are a team. We go everywhere together. But it's not just
about going out together, it's about the security and safety that I know I have because of Anna. She has become my ears and
hears for me. She alerts me to things I need to be aware of. I no longer fear when someone is at my door. I don't stay awake at
night fearing I won't hear the alarm clock. A Service Dog is not just a dog they are far more than that! A Service Dog Is
companionship and love, but most importantly a Service Dog is safety, security, and life!
Helping’s natural for Working Dogs For Vets, asking for it isn’t.
Veterans sing these praises.
“I’d do anything in the world for Working Dogs For Vets. They brought me into a place in my life that I never knew existed,” Smith said.
Veterans speak up with the hope you will help!
To continue to save lives and keep services free to veterans, Working Dogs For Vets needs your help! Every dollar donated saves
lives at Working Dogs for Vets. We’re grateful for any support received.
There are many ways to get involved , Volunteer or host a community event
Participate in Kroger Rewards and Working Dogs For Vets also has wishlists Chewy Walmart and Amazon Wish Lists
Other ways to get involved
Legacy Giving / Will bequests and even Crypto Currency and Were participating in the Combined Federal Campaign you can
give through the CFC #37322 Work place Giving where Federal Employees governmental workers can make pledges with payroll
deductions. Workplace Giving. Working Dogs For Vets participates at many stores to Give at check out PayPal Round up with
Spark at Walmart Donate Stocks Shares DTC Mutual Funds Direct DAF Text-To-Donate 84-Dogs-Help to 44-321 Click to Donate
Get Social with us!
Why should I support your work?
Veterans commit suicide at the rate of 1 every 59 minutes.
That's 22 veterans a day!
About 2.7 million shelter dogs in the U.S. are put down each year.
That's about 1 every 11 seconds!
More than 1.5 million disabled veterans need a service dog.
Your support to Working Dogs For Vets will Save Lives at Both Ends of the Leash!
Call: 84-Dogs-Help.
Visit: WorkingDogsForVets.org.
Why does your charity exist?
To provide service dogs and training to disabled veterans in need.
- Rescue train and match service dogs with veterans
- Help veterans train their own service dogs
- Education about service dogs and training
How will this make a difference?
Your support in any amount goes directly to our programs as we are a volunteer-based organization.
How is your work different from that of other, similar charities?
We do not charge veterans for our services. We are a volunteer-based, pay-it-forward program. Pay-it-forward means we train vets not only how to train their service dog, we also train them how to teach other veterans how to train their dogs.
We stretch every dollar raised. With our No Veteran Left Behind Program, there is little to no waiting list.
What have you accomplished?
Our accomplishments are listed at this link.
How can I be sure you’ll use my money wisely?
Working Dogs For Vets is mission driven and stretches every dollar. We are platinum rated on Guidestar and maintain transparency by publishing our financials on our website. We also recently had an audit performed which is on ourwebsite. We use donated funding wisely to accomplish our mission effectively.
