DFW Canines for Veterans
501(c)3 non profit organization
EIN:47-0933286
Providing service dogs for combat veterans
free of charge!
The one's that love you the most, are the one's that are willing to fight for you!
Please click on the "Download Application" button below and download
the (.pdf document) the application. Please download from your laptop or home computer!
There is NEVER a charge for our program including the dog!
Once you have filled out the application please email it to us at: DFWCanineSD@gmail.com
To process your application we will need the following documentation.
Please note: Our application is not compatible to download via iPhone. We are not sure why.
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Application filled out completely and signed
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DD214
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VA Award Letter
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Letter from the VA or other mental health provider stating your PTSD, TBI diagnosis and that a service dogs will benefit you.
Welcome to your second family
This is more than a service dog program,
this is a way of life. A brotherhood...
First off, I would like to to start out to personally thank you for your service to our country and for our freedom. You wrote a blank check and now we are writing a blank check back to you in the form of 4 legs.
We have been asked so many times "why do you do this"? We have watched several of our close friends and family suffer greatly from military Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury, as well as personally suffering from it. We felt that the options for PTSD and TBI or Traumatic Brain Injury was not working. We had been training dogs for over 20 years and the effects of dogs on humans are astounding! We wanted to do something more than what was available to our veterans. So DFW Canines for Veterans was born!
We are a small organization and our veterans like that. We are able to provide specialized one on one training. The program is calm and relaxed never rushed. Our director of training is amazing and trains at your speed. She makes sure you understand before moving on to the next phase. We will NOT leave a man behind! At the end of graduation your training does not have to end. Not one of us are paid, we are 100% volunteer based and will remain that way!
Rodney "Smoke" and Lex
Do I qualify for a service dog though our program?
If you are a combat veteran or combat related such as, but not confined to infantry, transport, engineers, combat medic, intelligence, drone pilots, pilots, Navy Seals, special task forces.
We do not define combat just as infantry, because there are lots of MOS's that are in,
FOB's, hot zones taking fire and/or receiving fire. Your PTSD and or TBI must be
service from military service and you must have been deployed.
If you are unsure if you qualify please contact us!
I am approved, now what?
Once you have been approved into our program, you will be paired up with a dog that will fit you based on your disability, needs and personality. Our Director of Training goes to GREAT lengths to pair you up with the appropriate dog to fit your personality and/or disability. She does extensive evaluation of the dog.
If you own your own dog, our Director of Training will have to evaluate your dog before it is accepted into our program. Not every dog is cut out to be a service dog. We have very strict guidelines, age, height & weight requirements. We do NOT train small breed dogs.
Can I pick my own dog or request a particular breed? No. If you have allergies we try and find a breeder who would donate a standard poodle or other type of grooming dog. No dog is hypoallergenic, but dogs that require grooming typically shed less.
Most of our dogs are Labradors, Golden Retrievers,
or mixed breed dogs.
What if I buy my own dog? Our Director of Training would evaluate the dog at the appropriate age. Approval into our program does not guarantee approval of your personal dog. If you are thinking of getting a dog as a potential service dog, we recommend consulting with us.
ALL DOGS IN SERVICE DOG TRAINING AND OR GRADUATED
SERVICE DOGS ARE MANDATORY SPAYED OR NEUTERED!
We have remained a small organization so we can offer this personalized one on one assistance. The veteran vets in our program are on stand by to help in any situation that may arise as well as our Director of Training. On training days only veterans are permitted at training, we do have family days that family is welcome out for cookouts and bonfires etc.
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I have graduated, now what?
PTSD & TBI does not go away, even with your service dog helping you. Therefore, nor should your support with your fellow brothers! That structure you had while in the service is now gone. We have created a unique program designed for combat veterans with PTSD and/or TBI to maintain that structure. We strongly encourage you to stay in our program even after graduation. It is strictly optional, but 99% of our veterans stay!
We understand how important that brotherhood is.
Again, there is NO charge for staying in our program!
Just some of the things you can help or continue to do:
Refresher or advanced training, Support from and to your brothers,
keep coming for the comradery, mentor a new veteran team,
learn to become a service dog trainer or help at training recreational
animal therapy, Attend our events for fundraising!
We are one big family and always need and appreciate your help!
NEVER WALK ALONE AGAIN!
We do not charge veterans for this service as we work and pay out of our own pockets. We also receive donations from companies and people who want to sponsor. We also do lots of fundraising events!
DFW Canines for Veterans is a 501c3 non profit organization