Home » Service Dogs for Veterans » Service Dogs For US Veterans Woodland, CA

Need Help Now?

Trained Service Dogs For Veterans Woodland, CA

Veterans in Woodland, CA get custom-trained service dogs for free with lifetime support.

Although military service is only for a short time, the mental and physical traumas suffered by Veterans can last a lifetime. The healing process is a unique journey for every Veteran, and for some, every day is a challenge. It's believed that one in five Americans who has served in Iraq or Afghanistan since 2001 is suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Conditions like PTSD, MST, and TBI present numerous symptoms that disrupt daily living and make it difficult to sleep, socialize, and maintain independence.

Service dogs provide immense support for Veterans to improve their quality of life. PAVE exists to assist more Veterans in obtaining the benefits of service dogs. We make a significant impact on the lives of Veterans by providing personalized training and ongoing support. Are you a Veteran looking to regain independence? Contact us today.

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. A PAVE service dog can complete specialized tasks for Veterans to 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 your daily independence 
  • Positive social interactions can be increased
  • Lower symptoms of PTSD, MST, anxiety, and depression
  • Reduce your need for medication
  • Enhance the Veteran's quality of life and positive outlook
  • Assistance with daily tasks
  • Reduce hypervigilance
Service Dogs

Hear From Our Veterans

Our basic criteria for a PAVE service dog

  • Have a disability related to serving our country (doesn't have to be combat-related).
  • You have received a medical diagnosis of PTSD, MST, TBI, or need physical help.
  • Currently receiving treatment from a supportive provider.
  • Can attend our training camp in the Portland Metro, Oregon, and provide for your own transportation and accommodation during that time.
  • Live in California, Idaho, Oregon, or Washington.
  • Can meet the physical, mental, and emotional needs of a dog.
  • 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.

golden retriever service dog

Frequently Asked Questions
About Service Dogs for Veterans

PAVE's mission is to train and provide service dogs for our Veterans suffering from psychological and/or physical disabilities.

PAVE does not place service dogs for legally blind, hearing impaired, or medical alert dogs (seizure, diabetic alert, for example). For organizations who specialize in these areas, please visit 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.

PAVE, a 501(c),(3) non-profit organization, is funded through private donations, corporate donations and foundation funding.

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 dogs, the training and the ongoing support for free, in addition to the initial supply and equipment valued at more than $1,500.

It takes approximately 1.5 - 2 years to train a service dog.

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

PAVE trains Labrador Retrievers (Gold Retrievers), Lab/Golden cross dogs.

These breeds have been proven to be excellent service dogs in terms of temperament, aptitude, and work ethic.

As soon as the dogs join our program!

PAVE dogs are trained by certified, professional dog trainers specializing in service dogs. They employ positive reinforcement techniques.

PAVE assistance dogs are specially trained to address the 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
  • Grounding and Deep Pressure Therapy (DPT)

PAVE doesn't train or certify pets already owned by Veterans. Assistance Dogs International lists some organizations that offer that 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. To ensure the well-being and housing of the service dog, financial stability is essential.

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?

At Paws Assisting Veterans (PAVE), we are wholeheartedly dedicated to providing Veterans with the support they need and deserve. As a non-profit service organization, we offer service dogs at no cost to Veterans and provide lifetime support. Veterans can lead a happy, independent life with the help of service dogs who have been trained to perform specific tasks.

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. 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 is no charge for your service dog, training, or ongoing support.

Start your journey with PAVE by completing the simple contact form.

We look forward to speaking with 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.