HSD Warrior Program
Purpose-Bred Dogs. Professional Training. A New Path Forward.
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, 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.
Ember (Nightmare Before Christmas litter) - Trained by HSD and placed with a veteran in Florida.
Cupid (Nightmare Before Christmas litter)- Trained by HSD and placed with a veteran in Florida.
The HSD Warrior Program is designed to help veterans with disabilities develop a working partnership with a purpose-bred Golden Retriever.
Through this program, an eligible veteran receives a started service dog prospect with a foundation of professional training and continued support from Hope Service Dogs.
The goal isn't simply to place a dog.
It's to build a successful service dog team.
Who Is the Warrior Program For?
The Warrior Program is designed for veterans with disabilities who may benefit from a service dog, including veterans whose disabilities may be mitigated through psychiatric service dog tasks.
The program requires an active commitment from the veteran.
Service dog training is a partnership. The dog will continue learning after going home, and the handler must be prepared to participate in that training.
What Makes the Warrior Program Different?
The Warrior Program begins with a dog who has already received a foundation of professional training.
Rather than starting with an eight-week-old puppy, the veteran receives a dog who has been developed for several additional months before going home.
Our dogs are:
Purpose-bred Golden Retrievers
Health and temperament tested
Raised with future working careers in mind
Professionally trained by HSD
Evaluated throughout their development
Not every puppy is suitable for service work.
We select and develop dogs based on their individual temperament, health, structure, working ability, and training progress.
Your Warrior Program Dog
Dogs participating in the Warrior Program remain with HSD until at least six months of age before going home.
At go-home, the dog will have a foundation that may include:
Training & Skills
AKC Canine Good Citizen preparation
AKC Novice Trick Dog preparation
Home manners
Introductory scent work
Obedience and focus
Environmental exposure
Public-access foundations
The dog will also have started training for disability-related tasks appropriate to the individual program.
Task Foundations May Include
Deep pressure therapy
Grounding
Interruption
Response to agitation
Retrieval
Task training is individualized. Not every dog will perform every task, and additional task development will continue as the team progresses.
Training Doesn't End When Your Dog Goes Home
Going home is the beginning of the next stage—not the end of training.
The Warrior Program includes:
Six Months of Additional Training Support
Continue working with HSD trainers after your dog goes home.
Twelve Months of Service Dog Success
Your program includes access to our online service dog training course for continued education and support.
Select Training Equipment
Appropriate equipment is provided as part of the program.
Go-Home Training
Before leaving HSD, the veteran will spend time training with the HSD team in Central Florida.
This includes working with the dog in real-world community environments where the team will need to function together.
The Warrior's Commitment
A successful service dog team requires an active handler.
Warriors participating in the program must:
Complete the HSD online training course.
Participate in go-home training with the HSD team.
Continue practicing and training with their dog after returning home.
Participate in follow-up training as requested.
Provide appropriate veterinary care, exercise, enrichment, and lifelong care for the dog.
The dog is not a finished product at six months.
The Warrior Program gives you a strong foundation and professional support while you continue developing your working partnership.
What Does the Warrior Program Cost?
The Warrior Program is offered at HSD's standard puppy program pricing.
The program is not a free service-dog placement.
This allows HSD to provide the same carefully bred, health-tested, professionally raised and trained dogs while giving veterans the additional training and support included in the Warrior Program.
Current puppy program pricing:
LINK TO PUPPY PROGRAMS
How Do I Apply?
The first step is the HSD Puppy Application.
When you apply, identify that you are interested in the Warrior Program.
Then schedule a call with us, we will review your application and discuss your situation, needs, and whether the Warrior Program is an appropriate fit.
Honoring Those Who Served
Hope Service Dogs is proud to support veterans who have served our country.
Through the Warrior Program, we have had the privilege of placing HSD dogs with veterans in multiple states.
Every placement represents more than a dog going home.
It represents the beginning of a partnership.
A partnership built on trust, training, independence, and hope.
Support the Warrior Program
Donations help Hope Service Dogs continue developing programs that provide professional training and support to people who need service dogs.