VAVeterans Assistance Dogs Of Texas Inc
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About Veterans Assistance Dogs Of Texas Inc
Veterans Assistance Dogs of Texas starts with a rescue dog and ends with a working team. The organization trains the dog, trains the veteran alongside it, and stays in touch after placement so the partnership can support mobility, safety, and daily independence. Since 2013, it has provided 79 service dogs to disabled Texas veterans who are living with physical disabilities, traumatic brain injuries, PTSD, MST, or a combination of these challenges.
What sets this organization apart is the way it treats placement as a team effort, not a handoff. Each dog is matched to the veteran’s needs, then trained with that person through handler training, graduation, and follow-up support. The process closes with a Freedom Day ceremony, which gives the new partnership a real moment of recognition.
Programs
The concrete work this nonprofit runs. Each program may later become a fundable project.
Service dog placement for disabled Texas veterans
Provides trained rescue dogs to disabled Texas Veterans at no cost and matches each dog to the veteran’s needs.
Service dog training
Trains dogs in basic obedience, public access, and specialty tasks such as retrieving items, pulling a wheelchair, and supporting mobility.
Veteran handler training and graduation
Trains approved recipients over 3 to 4 weekends, then presents the team in a Freedom Day graduation ceremony with a certificate and ID cards.
Follow-up support for veteran and dog teams
Checks in with veteran and dog teams after placement and provides follow-up training when needed.
About this work
Mission
Veterans Assistance Dogs of Texas trains service dogs to assist the physical and emotional well-being of Texas veterans living with physical disabilities, traumatic brain injuries, PTSD, MST, or combinations of these disabilities.
Who they serve
Disabled Texas veterans with physical disabilities, traumatic brain injuries, PTSD, MST, or combinations of these disabilities.
Their impact
- 79 service dogs provided since 2013
- 74 dogs placed during 11 years of service
- 8 dogs trained and placed with disabled veterans during the 2024 filing period
How your donation helps
- Training service dogs and the intended recipients
- Veterinary care for dogs in the program, including needed surgery
- Kenneling, care, and training at Hill Country Dog Center
Need help?
How someone in need can access Veterans Assistance Dogs Of Texas Inc’s services.
Texas veterans begin with the self-prescreening questions, then complete the service dog application and submit supporting documents. Applicants must be honorably discharged, at least 50% disabled, Texas residents, and free of felony assault charges. After review, the organization schedules a phone interview and a virtual home visit, then approved applicants complete 3 to 4 weekends of handler and public access training before graduation.
Stories
The people behind the work.
In their words
It’s the very best gift you could possibly offer a veteran.
magical connection.
Bonnie and I have formed a bond that is so close the training has come as second nature.
Having Darby with me has improved my health and truly made life better.
Grant support
$303,142 from 4 funders · through 2024 (IRS 990 records).
- ALBERT & ETHEL HERZSTEIN — $10,000 (2024)TOWARDS SUPPORT OF GENERAL OPERATIONS.
- ALBERT & ETHEL HERZSTEIN — $8,000 (2023)TOWARDS SUPPORT OF THE ACQUISITION, TRAINING, AND MATCH OF A SERVICE DOG FOR A DISABLED HOUSTON VETERAN.
- HAL & CHARLIE PETERSON FOUNDATION — $25,000 (2021)PROGRAM EXPENSES TO TRAIN SERVICE DOGS DONATED TO LOCAL DISABLED VETERANS
- ALBERT & ETHEL HERZSTEIN — $10,000 (2021)TOWARDS SUPPORT OF THE SERVICE DOG TRAINING.
- HAL & CHARLIE PETERSON FOUNDATION — $20,000 (2018)SERVICE TRAINING OF RESCUE DOG
- KERRVILLE ELKS CHARITIES INC — $222,642 (2017)CONTINUE VA DOG MISSION
- THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE TEXAS — $7,500 (2017)GENERAL SUPPORT
Events
Freedom Day ceremony
at graduationGraduation ceremony where recipients are presented with their service dog, a certificate, and ID cards.
Ways to help
Concrete needs and volunteer roles Veterans Assistance Dogs Of Texas Inc has shared.
Current needs
- Funding to train service dogs and their intended recipients
- Sponsors for dog placements for Texas veterans
- Support for veterinary care and surgery for dogs in the program
Volunteer opportunities
- Veterans who have received a service dog from the organization
- Professional kennel masters to care for dogs while they are in training
Partners & funders
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this nonprofit and how its work happens.
How do I know if I qualify for a service dog?
Start with the self-prescreening questions. To move ahead, you must be honorably discharged, at least 50% disabled, a Texas resident, and free of felony assault charges.
How do I apply for a service dog?
Fill out the application form and email the supporting documents that are required. After you submit everything, you will receive either an email confirming receipt or a notice that you do not meet the requirements.
How long does it take to train a service dog?
Training usually takes 4 to 6 months. After that, approved recipients complete 3 to 4 weekends of handler and public access training before graduation.
Where do your dogs come from?
The dogs usually come from kill shelters and animal humane societies. On rare occasions, a qualified dog may come from a professional breeder the organization knows and trusts.
Can you train a pet that a Veteran already owns?
No. The organization does not train a veteran’s own pet as a service dog, because the dog has to be in its care for up to 6 months and must be evaluated as a candidate first.
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