Just like the pairing veterans experienced in the military, we believe the bond humans share with dogs can help to reduce stress and build trust. A battle buddy provides mutual love and support for their veteran.
We use science based training methods with an emphasis on positive reinforcement and consistency to customize your dog training experience to the needs of your family.
She’s our CEO and animal behaviorist. A former Zoology professor, Meghan, has a master of science degree in veterinary medical science, a graduate certificate in non-profit leadership, and is a certified AKC test evaluator. She runs our day-to-day operations, certifies our AKC Canine Good Citizen exam, and serves as lead behavior and nutritionist to our dogs.
We conduct our free classes in public parks and recreation areas from Fayetteville to Sanford.
Our organization is dedicated to improving the lives of veterans by training and providing therapy dogs to support their mental health and well-being. We believe that every veteran who has served our country deserves access to the healing power of canine companionship. Our mission is to facilitate this connection by matching veterans with trained therapy dogs and providing ongoing support to ensure their success together. Through our work, we aim to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health challenges and honor the sacrifices of those who have served our country.
Sometimes our Battle Buddies need help learning or unlearning a specific behavior, so we also offer private, in-home training sessions to help give our veterans the tools to speak their buddies language.
Want to support our mission? Click the button below to view our Amazon Wish List and help us get the supplies we need—every item makes a difference!
Your donation changes lives. When you give to Battle Buddies Therapy Dogs, you help match a loyal, trained companion with a veteran in need, providing comfort, connection, and healing. Every dollar brings us closer to transforming struggle into strength through the power of the human-animal bond. Add a short description.
Your donation helps us provide life-changing therapy dogs to veterans at no cost. Every gift supports training, transportation, and lifelong care for both the dog and their veteran. Thank you for standing with those who’ve served—because no one should fight their battles alone.
Please contact us if you cannot find an answer to your question.
Source material can be found here: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/how-to-train-a-therapy-dog/
A therapy dog gives comfort and support to people experiencing physical or emotional difficulties. Therapy dogs are not service dogs. Service dogs provide a specific service to a person with a disability and are permitted full public access. Therapy dogs receive training and special certification to visit people in facilities.
Research has shown that owning and training a dog can help military veterans navigate the complexities of civilian reintegration. They may help lower blood pressure, reduce anxiety, and increase levels of endorphins and oxytocin. Check out this research article learn more: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2021.101425
Dogs are individuals. This means that not all dogs will have the temperament or desire to be a certified therapy dog. However, even if your dog is not into other people (hey we get that), you can still receive all of the benefits having a battle buddy will bring.
We respect your privacy and the privacy of our veterans. Our mission is first and foremost to help veterans and the local community. There are several reasons why a military veteran might not wish to be seen on social media. Firstly, veterans may be concerned about their personal privacy and security, particularly if they have served in sensitive or classified positions. Secondly, some veterans may be dealing with mental health issues related to their service, and may not want to be reminded of their experiences or have their condition publicly disclosed. Lastly, veterans may simply prefer to keep their private lives separate from their online presence, and may not feel comfortable sharing personal information or photos on social media platforms.
We can’t wait to hear from you! Whether you’re interested in joining our program or volunteering with us, simply reach out or click the box below to send us a message.
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