Service Dog For Veterans Grays Harbor, WA
Veterans in Grays Harbor, WA receive custom-trained service animals at no cost 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. 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 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. Through personalized training and lifetime support, PAVE makes a difference in the lives of Veterans. Contact us today if you are a Veteran and want to regain your independence.
Could You Benefit From A PAVE Service Dog?
Veterans with psychological and/or physically disabled veterans experience a range of complex and persistent symptoms including nightmares, depression, difficulty socializing and anxiety. Veterans can benefit from PAVE service dogs due to their ability to perform specialized tasks. 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
- Improve sleep quality and quantity
- Increase your daily independence
- Positive social interactions can be increased
- Lower symptoms of MST, PTSD, anxiety, or depression
- Reduce the need to take medication
- Increase the quality of life for Veterans and improve their outlook
- Physical assistance with everyday tasks
- Reduce hypervigilance
Our basic criteria for a PAVE 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.
- Currently receiving treatment from a supportive provider.
- Can attend the training camp in Portland Metro, Oregon. You will be responsible for your transportation and accommodation.
- 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 for the legally blind or hearing impaired. Please see ADI for organizations that specialize in these areas.
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). These organizations can be found at ADI.
Yes, PAVE can be accredited to Assistance Dogs International. This internationally recognized organization sets standards and encourages excellence in all areas related to assistance dog training, acquisition, and partnership. 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.
PAVE requires approximately $42,000 per dog. This includes ongoing support and training.
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.
A service dog can take between 1.5-2 years to train.
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 have proven to be successful in service dog work due to their aptitude, temperament, work ethic, and overall performance.
Training commences when the dogs are accepted into our program.
PAVE dogs are trained by certified, professional dog trainers specializing in service dogs. Positive reinforcement is used.
PAVE assistance dogs are trained to accommodate the unique disability needs of Veterans. Some of the tasks they do depend on the Veteran, but could include:
- Turn lights on/off
- Doors can be opened or closed
- Retrieve items
- Nightmare interruption
- Redirect Veterans during a PTSD episode
- Grounding and Deep Pressure Therapy (DPT)
PAVE does no train or certify any dogs that are already owned by Veterans. Assistance Dogs International has a list of organizations offering this type of training.
The initial required qualifications are:
- Honorable discharge.
- A licensed health professional who can offer ongoing support for people with mental and/or physically disabilities.
- 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?
Paws Assisting Veterans(PAVE) is committed to providing Veterans with the support that they need and 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.
Apply for a PAVE Service Dog
Are you ready to regain 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 offer tailored training and ongoing support, as well as access to expert advice from our dog trainers. There are no charges for service dogs, training and ongoing support.
Start your journey to PAVE by completing this simple 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.