Operation Grace

We proudly support Operation Grace and the initiative working to transform rescue dogs into trained psychiatric service partners for veterans. Your gifts through Operation Grace help fund training and placement so veterans receive highly trained companions at no cost. “Two Problems, One Solution”. 

Independent studies show trained psychiatric service dogs can complement usual PTSD care and improve symptom severity and quality of life for military members and veterans. We celebrate this work through our support of Operation Grace, while maintaining a clinical program that is focused on therapies that are coordinated, measured, and trauma-informed. **

VISIT SITE

Mission

Operation Grace rescues animals from neglect and abandonment, trains them as highly skilled service companions, and pairs them with veterans healing from PTSD and other invisible wounds of war.

Why It Matters

  • Service animals can help reduce PTSD symptoms and enhance daily functioning for veterans. Shelter capacity pressures lead to otherwise adoptable animals being euthanized.
  • This program addresses two urgent issues simultaneously: veteran wellness and animal rescue.
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"We identify rescue dogs with good temperaments for service training, and we match veterans with an ideal support companion at no cost to the veteran. Our professional dog trainers teach rescue dogs to fit in with the Veteran’s lifestyle as much as possible using positive reinforcement techniques."

"We are extremely grateful for the service of our veterans and active military, yet we know so many continue to fight invisible battles every day. By preparing rescue dogs to become service dogs, we help veterans with PTSD get matched with trained companions to ensure they don’t have to walk that hard road alone. "

"To date, we have trained and paired over 150 service dogs with veterans, and we aim to expand our program to have 250 dogs graduate each year."

** Leighton, S. C., Rodriguez, K. E., Jensen, C. L., MacLean, E. L., Davis, L. W., Ashbeck, E. L., Bedrick, E. J., & O’Haire, M. E. (2024). Service Dogs for Veterans and Military Members With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Nonrandomized Controlled Trial. JAMA network open, 7(6), e2414686.

Jensen, C. L., Rodriguez, K. E., MacLean, E. L., Abdul Wahab, A. H., Sabbaghi, A., & O’Haire, M. E. (2022). Characterizing veteran and PTSD service dog teams: Exploring potential mechanisms of symptom change and canine predictors of efficacy. PLOS ONE, 17(7), e0269186.