Next Step Service Dogs

Description

Our service dogs greatly improve the veterans’ quality of life, independence, and the sense of being unconditionally loved, respected and protected by a service dog battle buddy. Our service dogs include many rescue dogs that are trained to perform specific tasks and work as described by the American Disabilities Act (ADA).

Standard service dog tasks include getting help, turning on lights, balance support, and retrieval, to name a few. Even more important, the psychiatric service dog tasks include helping a veteran gauge the safety of their surroundings, allowing them to venture into public places without constantly scanning for snipers, hidden bombs and other dangers; reassuring them, allowing them to learn trust and caring again - and maybe smile for the first time in months.

We have plans to create Next Step Training Chapters throughout the country. And we will be hiring veterans as trainers, further enhancing the bonds and effectiveness of our trainer-dog-veteran teams.