Trained Service Dogs For Veterans Sacramento, CA
Veterans in Sacramento, CA receive custom-trained service animals at no cost 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 is on a different journey. For some, each day can be 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.
Veterans can rely on service dogs to provide support and help them live a better quality of life. PAVE exists to assist more Veterans in obtaining 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. We are ready to help you regain your independence. Contact us today for more information
Could A Service Dog From PAVE Support You?
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 are able to help with simple tasks as well as providing support for those facing significant challenges.
- Wake up Veterans during nightmares
- Improve sleep quality and quantity
- Increase your daily independence
- Increase positive social interactions
- Lower symptoms of MST, PTSD, anxiety, or depression
- Reduce need for medications
- Increase the quality of life for Veterans and improve their outlook
- For everyday tasks, physical assistance
- Reduce hypervigilance
Our basic criteria for a PAVE service dog
- Became disabled while serving our country (does not have to be combat-related).
- Have a clinical diagnosis of PTSD, MST, TBI, or need for certain physical help.
- 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 can live in California, Idaho or Oregon.
- Can fulfill the needs of a dog on all levels.
- You have been honorably discharged.
PAVE does not have service dogs for the legally blind, hearing impaired or medical alert dogs (seizure and diabetic alert, for example). For those organizations who are specialists in these fields, please refer to ADI.
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 can be accredited to Assistance Dogs International. This premier international organization establishes and promotes standards of excellence in all areas of assistance dog acquisition, training, and partnership. Only three organizations in Oregon 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.
It costs PAVE around $42,000 per dog, which includes lifelong follow-up training and support.
Approximately 90 cents of every dollar is spent on 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.
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 are known for their ability, 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 employ 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
- Doors can be opened or closed
- Retrieve 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 some organizations that offer that 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.
- 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.
What is PAVE?
At Paws Assisting Veterans (PAVE), we are wholeheartedly dedicated to providing Veterans with the support they need and deserve. As a nonprofit service dog organization, we provide service dogs free of charge for Veterans with lifetime support. Veterans can lead a happy, independent life with the help of service dogs who have been trained to perform specific tasks.
Apply for a PAVE Service Dog
Are you ready to regain independence?
Our team is ready to support you through the PAVE process from application to training camp with your new companion and service dog. 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.
Begin your journey with PAVE by filling out the 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.