Trained Service Dogs For Veterans Gresham, OR
Veterans in Gresham, OR 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. Every Veteran goes through a unique healing process. Some veterans find it challenging every day. 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.
Veterans can rely on service dogs to provide support and help them live a better quality of life. Our purpose at PAVE is to help more Veterans access the benefits of service dogs. By offering customized training and lifetime support, we make a tangible and significant difference in the lives of Veterans. We are ready to help you regain your independence. Contact us today for more information
Could A Service Dog From PAVE Support You?
Veteran with psychological or physical disabilities may experience a variety of chronic and complex symptoms, including anxiety, social difficulties, depression, and nightmares. PAVE service dogs provide 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
- Positive social interactions can be increased
- Lower symptoms of MST, PTSD, anxiety, or depression
- Reduce medication use
- Increase the quality of life for Veterans and improve their outlook
- Physical assistance with everyday tasks
- Reduce hypervigilance
Our basic criteria for a service dog for Veterans
- Have a disability related to serving our country (doesn't have to be combat-related).
- You have a diagnosis of PTSD, MST or TBI or need to receive certain physical care.
- Currently receiving treatment from a supportive provider.
- Can attend our training camp, which is located in Portland Metro, Oregon. You must provide transportation and accommodations during the time.
- You currently live in California, Idaho, Oregon, Washington.
- Can meet the physical, mental, and emotional needs of a dog.
- 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 it to provide service dogs for Veterans with mental and/or physical disabilities.
PAVE does not place service dogs for the legally blind or hearing impaired. 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 Oregon organizations currently hold accreditation.
PAVE is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization. It receives funding from private donations, corporate gifts, foundation funding and grants.
It costs PAVE around $42,000 per dog, which includes lifelong follow-up training and support.
Around 90 cents of each dollar goes towards program expenses.
PAVE provides the service dog, the training and ongoing support free of charge. The initial supply of equipment is valued at $1,500.
To train a service animal, it takes about 1.5 to 2 years.
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!
Professional dog trainers who specialize in service dogs train PAVE dogs. They use positive reinforcement methods.
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
- Open or close doors
- Get items
- Nightmare interruption
- Redirect Veterans during a PTSD episode
- Grounding and Deep Pressure Therapy (DPT)
No, PAVE does not train or certify dogs already owned by the Veteran. Assistance Dogs International lists several organizations that offer this kind of training.
The first required qualifications are:
- Honorable discharge.
- For those suffering from mental and/or physical disabilities, a licensed health professional is providing ongoing support.
- 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 PAVE?
Paws Assisting Veterans, (PAVE), is committed to providing Veterans the support and care they deserve. We proudly provide service dogs free of charge to Veterans. Veterans can live a fulfilling, independent life thanks to the service dogs that are trained in our extensive program.
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. 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. You can access free training for your service dog and ongoing support.
Start your journey to PAVE by completing this 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.