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Service Dog For Veterans Hillsboro, OR

Veterans in Hillsboro, OR get custom-trained service dogs for free with lifetime support.

While military service only lasts for a limited time, the psychological and physical wounds experienced by Veterans can last forever. The healing process is a unique journey for every Veteran, and for some, every day is a challenge. It's been estimated that 1/5 has Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) from the 2.7 million Americans who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. TBI, MST and PTSD are all conditions that can disrupt your daily life and make it difficult for you to socialize, sleep, and maintain independence.

Veterans can rely on service dogs to provide support and help them live a better quality of life. PAVE's mission is to make it easier for more Veterans to enjoy the benefits of service dogs. Our customized training and life-long support make a real and lasting difference in the lives and careers of Veterans. Are you a Veteran looking to regain independence? Contact us today.

Could You Benefit From A PAVE Service Dog?

Veterans with psychological and/or physical disabilities experience an array of complex and chronic symptoms like nightmares, difficulty socializing, depression, and anxiety. Veterans can benefit from PAVE service dogs due to their ability to perform specialized tasks. PAVE service dogs have been proven to provide support to Veterans in a variety of ways, from making basic tasks easier to providing critical support to those who face significant challenges.

  • Wake up Veterans during nightmares
  • Improve sleep quality and quantity
  • Steady increase in independence 
  • Positive social interactions can be increased
  • Lower symptoms of MST, PTSD, anxiety, or depression
  • Reduce your need for medication
  • Improve the Veteran's life quality and outlook
  • Assistance with daily tasks
  • Reduce hypervigilance
Service Dogs

Hear From Our Veterans

Our basic criteria for a service dog for Veterans

  • You became disabled while serving your country (doesn't need to be combat-related).
  • Have a clinical diagnosis of PTSD, MST, TBI, or need for certain physical help.
  • Currently receiving treatment from a support provider.
  • You can attend our training camp in Portland Metro, Oregon and arrange your transportation and accommodation.
  • You can live in California, Idaho or Oregon.
  • Can satisfy the mental, physical, and emotional needs of a dog.
  • Honorably discharged

PAVE does not place service dogs for the legally blind or hearing impaired. For organizations that specialize in these areas, please see ADI.

golden retriever service dog

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 the legally blind or hearing impaired. Please see ADI for organizations that specialize in these areas.

Yes, PAVE can be accredited to Assistance Dogs International. This premier international organization promotes excellence in all aspects of assistance dog acquisition, training, partnership, and partnerships. Only three Oregon organizations are currently accredited members.

PAVE is a non-profit organization that is 501(c). It is funded by corporate donations, private donations and grants.

PAVE charges around $42,000 per dog, which includes follow-up training and support for the life of the dog.

90% of every dollar goes to program expenses.

PAVE provides the service dog, the training, and ongoing support at no charge, along with the initial supply of equipment and supplies valued at over $1,500.

A service dog can take between 1.5-2 years to train.

PAVE works with Guide Dogs for the Blind, selected breeders, and rescues/shelters.

PAVE primarily trains Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, or Lab/Golden crosses.

These breeds have consistently been successful in service dog work regarding aptitude, temperament, and work ethic.

Once the dogs have joined our program, we will start training!

PAVE dogs can be trained by professional, certified dog trainers that specialize in service dogs. Positive reinforcement is used.

PAVE assistance dogs can be trained to meet the needs of each Veteran. They may perform the following tasks depending on the Veteran's particular needs:

  • Turn lights on/off
  • Open or close doors
  • Retrieve items
  • Nightmare interrupt
  • Redirect Veterans during a PTSD episode
  • Grounding with DPT (Deep Pressure Therapy)

PAVE doesn't train or certify pets 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:

  1. Honorable discharge.
  2. Support provided by licensed health professionals for those with mental or physical disabilities.
  3. Service dogs require housing and financial stability.

Have another Question?

Email the PAVE team at [email protected], and we’ll answer all your questions about service dogs for Veterans.

Why choose PAVE?

Paws Assisting Veterans, (PAVE), is committed to providing Veterans the support and care they deserve. As a nonprofit service dog organization, we provide service dogs free of charge for Veterans with 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 to regain your 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. We are dedicated to helping you live a better and more fulfilling life. Our trainers can provide professional advice and tailored training. You can access free training for your service dog and ongoing support.

Get started with PAVE. Complete the contact form to get started.

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.