Patriot PAWS Service Dogs

Patriot PAWS Service Dogs is a nonprofit organization based in Texas, United States, dedicated to training and providing service dogs to disabled American veterans and individuals with mobility disabilities, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI).

Mission

The mission of Patriot PAWS Service Dogs is to provide high-quality service dogs at no cost to help restore the physical and emotional independence of veterans. This is achieved by building partnerships with community and state organizations to support the development and provision of these services[1][2].

Programs

Patriot PAWS has several innovative programs to support its mission:

• Rockwall Training Facility: Established in 2006, this facility is the core of the organization's training operations.
• Dallas-Fort Worth Volunteer Program: Also initiated in 2006, this program involves volunteers in the training process.
• Texas Department of Criminal Justice Inmate Training Program: Launched in 2008, this program partners with inmates to train service dogs, reducing costs and providing skills to inmates upon release[4].
• Patriot PAWS of Aggieland: Based at Texas A&M University since 2013, this program engages students in service dog training and socialization.
• Patriot PAWS Cares: Established in 2021, this program provides support during disasters and other traumatic events[4].

Training and Costs

The training process for service dogs at Patriot PAWS typically takes between 18 and 24 months, involving extensive socialization and command training. Each dog costs over $45,000 to train, but the organization provides them to veterans at no cost, thanks to private donations[1][4].

History

Patriot PAWS Service Dogs was founded in 2006 by Lori Stevens. Initially, the organization began with a small group of volunteers helping disabled veterans. It has since grown into a national nonprofit, impacting veterans across the United States[1][3].

Financial Structure

Patriot PAWS operates with an annual budget between $1 million and $3 million, relying entirely on private donations to fund its operations and provide free service dogs to recipients[3].

Impact

Patriot PAWS has significantly improved the lives of many veterans by providing them with service dogs that assist with daily tasks and emotional support. Success stories include veterans returning to education and employment with the aid of their service dogs[2].