Service Dog For Veterans Bellevue, WA
We provide custom-trained service dogs for Veterans in Bellevue, WA free of charge with lifetime support.
While military service may only last for a limited time, the psychological and physical wounds that Veterans experience can last a lifetime. 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, PTSD, and PTSD can cause a host of symptoms that interfere with daily living, making it difficult to get sleep, socialize, or 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. 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?
Veterans with psychological and/or physical disabilities experience an array of complex and chronic symptoms like nightmares, difficulty socializing, depression, and anxiety. A PAVE service dog can complete specialized tasks for Veterans to improve their quality of life. 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
- You can improve your sleep quality.
- Increase your independence
- Increase positive social interactions
- Lower symptoms of PTSD and MST, anxiety, depression, and other mental disorders
- Reduce medication use
- Improve the Veteran's life quality and outlook
- Physical assistance with everyday tasks
- Reduce hypervigilance
Our Basic Criteria for a Service Dog
- You became disabled while serving the country. It doesn't necessarily have to be combat-related.
- Have a clinical diagnosis of PTSD, MST, TBI, or need for certain physical help.
- You are currently receiving support from a provider.
- Can attend our training camp in the Portland Metro, Oregon, and provide for your own transportation and accommodation during that time.
- You currently live in California, Idaho, Oregon, Washington.
- Can fulfill the needs of a dog on all levels.
- 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). Please see ADI for organizations that specialize in these areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Service Dogs for Veterans
PAVE's mission is training and providing service dogs to Veterans suffering from mental or physical disabilities to help them.
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 is an accredited member of Assistance Dogs International. This international leader in assistance dog training and acquisition sets and promotes high standards of excellence. Only three Oregon organizations are currently accredited members.
PAVE is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization. It receives funding from private donations, corporate gifts, foundation funding 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 pays for the service dog, training and support, as well as the initial equipment and supplies worth over $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 primarily trains Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, or Lab/Golden crosses.
These breeds are known for their ability, temperament, and work ethic.
Once the dogs have joined our program, we will start training!
Dog trainers certified in PAVE training are specialists in service dogs. Positive reinforcement is used.
PAVE assistance dogs are trained to the specific disability needs of the individual Veteran. Some of the tasks they do depend on the Veteran, but could include:
- Turn lights on/off
- Open or close doors
- Get items
- Nightmare interruption
- 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.
These are the initial qualifications required:
- Honorable discharge.
- Support provided by licensed health professionals for those with mental or physical disabilities.
- 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 will be there to help you from the beginning of your PAVE application to training camp with your service dog or companion. We are dedicated to helping you live a better and more fulfilling life. Our trainers can provide professional advice and tailored training. There are no charges for service dogs, training 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.