Service Dog For Veterans Federal Way, WA
Veterans in Federal Way, WA receive custom-trained service animals at no cost with lifetime support.
Although military service is only for a short time, the mental and physical traumas suffered by Veterans can last a lifetime. Every Veteran goes through a unique healing process. Some veterans find it challenging every day. From the roughly 2.7 million Americans that have deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001, it's estimated that 1 in 5 is experiencing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). TBI, MST, PTSD, and PTSD can cause a host of symptoms that interfere with daily living, making it difficult to get sleep, socialize, or maintain independence.
Service dogs provide immense support for Veterans to improve their quality of life. PAVE's mission is to make it easier for more Veterans to enjoy the benefits of service dogs. We make a significant impact on the lives of Veterans by providing personalized training and ongoing support. If you're a Veteran who is ready to regain your independence, contact us today to learn more.
Could You Benefit From A PAVE Service Dog?
Veteran with psychological or physical disabilities may experience a variety of chronic and complex symptoms, including anxiety, social difficulties, depression, and nightmares. Veterans with disabilities can have their PAVE service dogs perform specialized tasks that improve their quality of life. PAVE service dogs have been proven to be able to do everything from completing simple tasks to supporting veterans facing difficult situations.
- Wake up Veterans during nightmares
- You can improve your sleep quality.
- Increase independence
- Positive social interactions can be increased
- Lower symptoms of PTSD, MST, anxiety, and depression
- Reduce need for medications
- Improve the Veteran's life quality and outlook
- Assist with everyday tasks by providing physical assistance
- Reduce hypervigilance
The Basic Criteria for a Service Dog
- You became disabled while serving the country. It doesn't necessarily have to be combat-related.
- A clinical diagnosis of PTSD or MST, TBI, or the need for specific physical assistance.
- You are currently receiving support from a provider.
- You can attend our training camp in Portland Metro, Oregon and arrange your transportation and accommodation.
- You currently live in California, Idaho, Oregon, Washington.
- Can fulfill the needs of a dog on all levels.
- You have been honorably discharged.
PAVE does not place service dogs in the areas of legally blindness, hearing impairment, or medical alert dogs (seizure or diabetic alert). For more information on organizations that are experts in these areas, please visit ADI.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Service Dogs for Veterans
PAVE's mission, to train and provide service dog for Veterans suffering from physical and/or psychological disabilities is to do so.
PAVE does not place service dogs for legally blind, hearing impaired, or medical alert dogs (seizure, diabetic alert, for example). You can find organizations that are experts in these areas at ADI.
Yes, PAVE has been accredited as a member of Assistance Dogs International. This premier international organization promotes excellence in all aspects of assistance dog acquisition, training, partnership, and partnerships. Only three organizations in Oregon are currently accredited members.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, PAVE is funded by private donations, corporate donations, foundation funding, and grants.
It costs approximately $42,000 for each dog. It also includes support and training throughout the dog's life.
90% of every dollar goes to program expenses.
PAVE provides the service dogs, the training and the ongoing support for free, in addition to the initial supply and equipment valued at more than $1,500.
Training a service dog takes between 1.5 and 2 years.
PAVE works with Guide Dogs for the Blind and selected breeders as well as rescues/shelters.
PAVE trains Labrador Retrievers as well as Golden Retrievers.
These breeds have proven to be successful in service dog work due to their aptitude, temperament, work ethic, and overall performance.
Once the dogs have joined our program, we will start training!
PAVE dogs are trained by certified, professional dog trainers specializing in service dogs. They use positive reinforcement methods.
PAVE assistance dogs are trained to accommodate the unique disability needs of Veterans. They may perform the following tasks depending on the Veteran's particular needs:
- Turn lights on/off
- Doors can be opened or closed
- Get items
- Nightmare interruption
- Redirect Veterans during a PTSD episode
- Provide DPT (Deep Pressure Therapy) and grounding
PAVE does no train or certify any dogs that are already owned by Veterans. Assistance Dogs International lists several organizations that offer this kind of training.
The following qualifications are required for the first time:
- Honorable discharge.
- For those suffering from mental and/or physical disabilities, a licensed health professional is providing ongoing support.
- Housing and financial stability to provide for the well-being of the service dog.
Have another Question?
Email the PAVE team at [email protected], and we’ll answer all your questions about service dogs for Veterans.
Why use PAVE?
Paws Assisting Veterans is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting Veterans. As a non-profit service organization, we offer service dogs at no cost to Veterans and provide lifetime support. The trained tasks completed by service dogs through our comprehensive training program empower Veterans to live an independent, fulfilling life.
Register for a PAVE Service Dog
Are you ready for independence?
Our team is here to help you with the entire PAVE process. From application to training camp, we will support you and your new companion/service dog. Dedicated to facilitating your new and better life, we provide tailored training and lifelong support with access to professional advice from our specialist dog trainers. There are no charges for service dogs, training and ongoing support.
Begin your journey with PAVE by filling out the contact form.
We are looking forward to hearing from you.
Help Veterans Regain Their Freedom
Service dogs save lives. Help us to help Veterans by supporting PAVE. Your support and generosity go directly towards helping our Veterans and more donations mean more service dogs for Veterans in need.