Triple Win - Rescue * Rehab * Revive

Canines for Veterans is a national program that provides Veterans with disabilities quality trained service dogs.  The program works with military prisoners at the Naval Consolidated Brig Charleston and teaches them how to train rescue dogs as service dogs for the wounded and injured Veteran.  Know as the “triple win” the Canines for Veterans program has twice been awarded a Newman’s Own Award for program innovations supporting our military and their families, is approved by the US Department of Labor as an apprenticeship program and was recently named a Joining Forces Community Challenge finalist.

The program operated at the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune until August 31, 2010.  As of September 1, 2010, the program has relocated to the Navy Consolidated Brig, Charleston, South Carolina.

A Canines for Veterans service dog is a constant assistant that can perform 90 commands to assist with everyday tasks for the wounded veteran, including:

• Retrieve and carry objects
• Pull their partner in a wheelchair, push elevator buttons and even transfer money at the grocery store.
• Provide social support by acting as a bridge to conversation and acceptance. When a service dog accompanies a wounded veteran, the focus is on the dog, not the disability.
• Provide balance and stability for an amputee for someone who has lost mobility.
• Provide support for PTSD with ADA compliant tasks to assist the Veteran.
• Be a source of love and companionship. Both the veteran and the dog are a team and make the transition back to independence together.

Often imitated, never duplicated

Canines for Service has been training service dogs for over 15 years.  Our program is based on quality and integrity and considers the needs of the client receiving the service dog by ensuring the client is properly served. From making sure the service dogs are trained to meet ADA requirements in the tasks that they can do, to developing specialty skills to assist a specific client; it is about the person we serve.  

Team training, when a client is partnered with their service dog, is done on an individual basis, not in a group.  Why?  Because every clients' needs are different and it is better for the client to work with them individually.  It also permits us to accomplish training within 5 to 10 days rather than several weeks; reducing the time the client is away from home, saving costs for the client, and the program.

If you are a service member or Veteran that has actively served between 1991 to present and disabled while serving your country and are interested in learning if a service dog can be a benefit to you, please contact our office at 866-910-3647 or click on the button for an application.

We serve Veterans from all branches of the Armed Forces with mobility issues, traumatic brain injury and post traumatic stress disorder.

Veterans that served prior to 1991 are invited apply through our Canines for Service program.