Paws for PTSD

Healing Together: Veterans & Shelter Dogs

The Program:

Paws for PTSD is a pioneering support program that assists veterans living with service-related PTSD by providing them with a trained Service Dog that supports them at home and in public.

In partnership with the Atlanta Humane Society, the program creates healing bonds that transforms the lives of veterans and shelter dogs. Dogs receive specialized training by our trainers, and then veterans attend weekly classes to train additional skills that support their needs.

Program Partner:

Why it Matters:

For Veterans: A safe space to build trust, reduce isolation, and develop coping skills alongside peers and professionals, while building a successful partnership with their PTSD Service Dog.
For Dogs: A second chance at life, meaningful training, and a permanent home.
For Communities: Healthier, supported veterans and fewer homeless dogs.

How it Works:

Step 1: Shelter dog selection and initial training

Dogs with ideal temperaments are identified by Dogs for Better Lives Staff. Dogs leave the shelter and training begins. For the first 2 months, dogs undergo initial training and evaluation for the program.

Step 2: Training begins

Dogs learn specific skills to support veterans with PTSD at home and in public including positional, deep pressure, and behavior interrupter skills.

Step 3: Veteran Onboarding

We get to know each person individually and assess whether our program fits their needs.

Step 4: Matching

Veterans are matched with dogs and attend weekly group training & support sessions to train the dog with custom skills.

Step 5: Graduation

Graduates celebrate the completion of the program, marking the beginning of a successful working partnership between the veteran and their Service Dog.

Step 6: Ongoing Support

Veterans receive ongoing follow-ups and training support from DBL staff throughout the life of the team.

The Impact on Veterans:

Reduces feelings of loneliness & suicide risk
Encourages teamwork, confidence & resilience
Improves mental and physical health
Opens new pathways to careers or volunteering in animal care
Creates opportunities for friendships and a supportive community that continues after the program ends.

Get Involved:

Veterans: Apply to participate and start your healing journey.
Partners: Collaborate with us to expand impact.
Donors: Fund life-changing connections between veterans and dogs.
Volunteer: Support the program as a temporary foster or in another volunteer role.

Request more information about Paws for PTSD

Autism Assistance Dog Program Requirements

Home Environment

There can be no other dogs in the household with an Autism Assistance Dog. If you have other pets and are not willing to re-home them, your application may be denied due to the difficulties of having a professionally trained dog work around those types of distractions.

We require a fenced area attached to the home.

It is crucial to have full cooperation and support of all household members for a successful working team to develop.

Financial Commitment

The cost of feeding and caring for one of our professionally trained dogs could be over $1,500 per year. This includes but is not limited to food, toys, vet care, etc. This does not include any unforeseen illness or injury. The client is financially responsible for the dog’s care once the dog is placed with the child.

Personal Skills

To qualify for our Autism Program, the child on the autism spectrum cannot be diagnosed with any other disabilities. To provide the best support for our clients, our dogs are trained for one specific skill set and not, for example, dually trained as Hearing Dogs. Please call for more information and clarification.

The Autism Assistance Dog is a trained working animal, not a pet. The entire training program is based on rewarding or playing with the dog every time they work. Consistent practice, patience, and praise are necessary for the dog to succeed.

Please remember that our dogs are not trained to be guard dogs. They are friendly, stable dogs that help people with different challenges and provide companionship only.

Before you begin the application process, it is important that you read this information:

• We require a fenced area attached to the home
• Due to the difficulties of having a dog work around distractions, Autism Assistance Dogs must be the only dog in the home
• Autism Assistance Dogs are only placed with clients between 4-8 years old
• You will be required to attend obedience training classes or hire a private obedience trainer as prescribed by your Dogs for Better Lives professional trainer

Our professionally trained dogs require:

• Minimum of one full year of training as a team
• Total commitment and willingness to work with your dog daily
• The ability to place practice sessions ahead of other pressing demands
• Stopping whatever you are doing to work with your dog when he/she is confused or does not work properly
• Being patient and positive with your dog
• Play time and rewards for a job well done each and every time they work for you
• Exercise and mental stimulation on a daily basis
• Family members to refrain from giving the dog attention until the dog has completely bonded with the child

Facility Dog Program Requirements

About Our Dogs

All of our Dogs receive extensive program work and obedience training. Facility Dogs can provide a calming effect, allowing the professional to better serve or treat their clients. These dogs do not have public access except when accompanying the professionals and their clients in order to provide assistance to the clients.

Our standards and criteria for determining whether or not a dog is suitable for access to public places are very high. Only dogs that can ignore other dogs, handle being exposed to busy, noisy and crowded environments as well as comfortable with all types of people are appropriate to be in public.

When we match a Dog with a client, we look at a variety of factors: the needs of the client both for work at home and in public, lifestyle and energy level and the confidence the dog has in new environments and situations.

Home Environment

If you have a pet dog in your home, the following must be true about him/her:

Is at least three years of age
Is housetrained
Has been taught a few basic commands
Gets along well with other dogs
Is spayed/neutered
Is up to date on vaccines and flea/tick prevention
Has no history of aggression to humans or other dogs
Is an indoor dog

We typically require a fenced area attached to the home.

It is crucial to have full cooperation and support of all household members for a successful working team to develop.

Financial Commitment

Personal Skills

A Facility Dog is a trained working animal, not a pet. The entire training program is based on rewarding or playing with the dog every time they work. Consistent practice, patience, and praise are necessary for the dog to succeed.

Please remember that our dogs are not trained to be guard dogs. They are friendly, stable dogs that help people with different challenges and provide companionship only.

Before applying, please carefully consider the following points. Our professionally trained dogs require:

• Minimum of one full year year of training together as a team
• Total commitment and willingness to work with your dog daily
• The ability to place practice sessions ahead of other pressing demands
• Stopping whatever you are doing to work with your dog when he/she is confused or does not work properly
• Being patient and positive with your dog
• Play time and rewards for a job well done each and every time they work for you
• Exercise and mental stimulation on a daily basis
• Taking sole responsibility for the care of the dog so that the dog will bond with you
• Family members to refrain from giving the dog attention until the dog has completely bonded with you
• A fenced area attached to the home
• Professionals or volunteers working with people with vulnerable populations and people with disabilities for a minimum of 20 hours/week
• Obedience training classes or hire a private obedience trainer as prescribed by your Dogs for Better Lives professional trainer

Hearing Dog Program Requirements

About Our Dogs

We select dogs from area shelters based on temperament and age, not size, sex, or appearance. All of our Dogs receive extensive program work and obedience training. Hearing Dogs are trained to alert to sounds by making physical contact then leading you to the sound. Additionally, many of our Hearing Dogs are certified for public access.

When we match a dog with a client, we look at a variety of factors: the needs of the client both for work at home and in public, lifestyle and energy level and the confidence the dog has in new environments and situations. Dogs are matched with individuals based on the temperament of the dog and the lifestyle, personality, activity level, health, and environment of the person. We do not place dogs based on personal preference.

Home Environment

There can be no other dogs in the household with a Hearing Dog with the possible exception of a retired Dogs for Better Lives Hearing Dog. If you have other pets and are not willing to re-home them, your application may be denied due to the difficulties of having a professionally trained dog work around those types of distractions.

We typically require a fenced area attached to the home.

It is crucial to have full cooperation and support of all household members for a successful working team to develop.

Financial Commitment

Personal Skills

A client must be at least 18 years old, willing and able to physically, mentally, and emotionally care for the dog without assistance.

The Hearing Dog is a trained working animal, not a pet. The entire training program is based on rewarding or playing with the dog every time they work. Consistent practice, patience, and praise are necessary for the dog to succeed.

Please remember that our dogs are not trained to be guard dogs. They are friendly, stable dogs that help people with different challenges and provide companionship only.

Before applying, please carefully consider the following points.

Our professionally trained dogs require:

• A minimum of one full year of training with you as a team
• Your total commitment and willingness to work with them daily
• Your ability to schedule practice sessions ahead of other pressing demands
• Your patience and positive attitude
• Play time and rewards for a job well done each and every time they work for you
• Exercise and mental stimulation on a daily basis
• Taking sole responsibility for the care of the dog so that the dog will bond with you
• Family members to refrain from giving the dog attention until the dog has completely bonded with you
• Attending an obedience training classes or hire a private obedience trainer as prescribed by your Dogs for Better Lives professional trainer

Hearing Dogs

Autism Assistance Dogs

Facility Dogs

Paws for PTSD

Healing Together: Veterans & Shelter Dogs

The Program:

Program Partner:

Why it Matters:

How it Works:

Step 1: Shelter dog selection and initial training

Step 2: Training begins

Step 3: Veteran Onboarding

Step 4: Matching

Step 5: Graduation

Step 6: Ongoing Support

The Impact on Veterans:

Get Involved:

Contact

Explore

Explore

Connect

Hearing Dogs

Autism Assistance Dogs

Facility Dogs

Autism Assistance Dog Program Requirements

Home Environment

Financial Commitment

Personal Skills

Facility Dog Program Requirements

About Our Dogs

Home Environment

Financial Commitment

Personal Skills

Hearing Dog Program Requirements

About Our Dogs

Home Environment

Financial Commitment

Personal Skills

Before applying, please carefully consider the following points.