HSD Warrior Program
Veterans Crisis Line
1-800-273-8255 Press
Clover at 6 mo old, working at WalMart. He is worked in his service dog vest, and without vest.
Our Past Warrior Program Dogs
Here are some of the incredible dogs from our Warrior Program:
Clover (Tangled litter) - Trained by HSD and placed with a veteran in Nevada in honor of Magnus.
Cal (Tangled litter) - Donated to On Duty Service Dogs, trained by Sam Walker, and placed with a veteran in Texas.
Delta (Moana litter) - Trained by Tera Becker and placed with a veteran in Florida.
Leta - Trained by HSD and placed with a veteran in Florida as an ESA/Therapy Dog.
Stay tuned for updates on our next available Warrior Program service dog.
Did You Know?
As many as 20%, over 500,000, of military service members suffer from post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD).
From the year 2000 to 2017, more than 375,000 traumatic brain injuries (TBI) were diagnosed in military personnel.
More than half of all service members have reported experiencing sexual assault or harassment during their time in the military.
Military suicides have reached an all-time high, with a 25% increase reported at the end of 2020.
It is unacceptable for our veterans to suffer in silence.
At Hope Service Dogs (HSD), we strive to provide acknowledgement and acceptance, giving a voice to veterans with disabilities.
Our HSD Warrior Program is dedicated to serving those who have bravely served our country by offering the highest quality purpose-bred dogs, meticulously selected for health and temperament. These service dogs are trained to meet the unique needs of veterans with PTSD, adhering to all requirements set forth by the ADA.
There is no charge to veterans for participation in our Warrior Program.
This initiative pairs a started six-month-old Service Puppy with a warrior affected by PTSD. This program empowers veterans to train their service dogs while equipping both members of the team with life-changing skills.
Warrior Program Requirements
To successfully complete the HSD Warrior Program, each warrior must:
Complete the Online Training Course: Successfully finish the course at Servicedog.Teachable.com.
Participate in “Go Home” Training: Work with the HSD team for at least 5 days in Central Florida, including training in the community settings where the warrior will use their service dog.
Document Training and Outings: Maintaining a training log, submitting it weekly to HSD, detailing training sessions and outings with their service dog.
Schedule Follow-Up Training: Participate in additional training sessions after returning home.
Earn Titles: Achieve the following titles with their service dog:
AKC Canine Good Citizen
AKC Canine Good Citizen Urban
AKC Canine Good Citizen Advanced
AKC Novice Trick Dog
Pass the HSD Public Access Assessment: Successfully complete the public access assessment.
Train Mitigating Tasks: Teach their service dog at least three tasks to assist with their disability.
Training Hours
Before graduation, each service dog will undergo:
A minimum of 240 hours of training
At least 60 hours of public exposure
An additional 60 hours of training in public environments
Graduation and Recertification
The warrior and service dog team must meet all graduation requirements and complete recertifications. Upon finishing the HSD Training Program, warriors will feel confident in teaching their service dog new commands and using their service dog in public settings.
Next Step
You can nominate a deserving veteran by filling out the form below.
The veteran can apply through our puppy application form. We will then reach out to them to discuss the next steps in the process.
Thank you for helping us support those who have served our country!