Service Dogs For Veterans Sammamish, WA
Veterans in Sammamish, WA receive custom-trained service animals at no cost with lifetime support.
While military service only lasts for a limited time, the psychological and physical wounds experienced by Veterans can last forever. 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.
Service dogs provide immense support for Veterans to improve their quality of life. Our purpose at PAVE is to help more Veterans access the benefits of service dogs. Through personalized training and lifetime support, PAVE makes a difference in the lives of Veterans. We are ready to help you regain your independence. Contact us today for more information
Is A PAVE Service Dog Right For Me?
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 be able to do everything from completing simple tasks to supporting veterans facing difficult situations.
- Wake Veterans from their nightmares
- Sleep quality and quantity can be improved
- Increase your independence
- Increase positive social interactions
- Lower symptoms of MST, PTSD, anxiety, or depression
- Reduce your need for medication
- Make the Veteran's life more enjoyable and encourage a positive outlook
- Assistance with daily tasks
- Reduce hypervigilance
Our basic criteria for a service dog for Veterans
- You became disabled while serving your country (doesn't need to be combat-related).
- You have a diagnosis of PTSD, MST or TBI or need to receive certain physical care.
- 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.
- Living Oregon or in California, Idaho and Oregon.
- Can fulfill the needs of a dog on all levels.
- Recognized as honorably discharged
PAVE does not have service dogs for the legally blind, hearing impaired or medical alert dogs (seizure and diabetic alert, for example). 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 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.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, PAVE is funded by private donations, corporate donations, 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.
To train a service animal, it takes about 1.5 to 2 years.
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.
As soon as the dogs join our program!
PAVE dogs can be trained by professional, certified dog trainers that specialize in service dogs. They use positive reinforcement methods.
PAVE assistance dogs are trained to the specific disability needs of the individual Veteran. They may perform the following tasks depending on the Veteran's particular needs:
- Turn lights on/off
- Close or open doors
- Retrieve items
- Nightmare interrupt
- Redirect Veterans during a PTSD episode
- Grounding with DPT (Deep Pressure Therapy)
PAVE does not train or certify Veterans' dogs. 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.
- Housing and financial stability to provide for the well-being of the service dog.
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 non-profit service organization, we offer service dogs at no cost to Veterans and provide lifetime support. Veterans can live a fulfilling, independent life thanks to the service dogs that are trained in our extensive program.
Request 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 ie no cost to your service dog, training or ongoing support.
Begin your journey with PAVE by filling out the 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.