APPLY FOR A SERVICE DOG

BUILD A TRUE PARTNERSHIP TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE

SERVICE DOG APPLICATION PROCESS

Thank you for your interest in a Paws for Purple Hearts Service Dog.

Complete the questionnaire below, so we may determine if a our service dogs can meet your needs.

Please note, that our application process is rolling and will close again once it is full.

Our staff will be in touch within 48 business hours via email after submission.

PLEASE NOTE:

There are many kinds of Service Dogs who serve different types of patients and conditions. 

PPH provides Service Dogs specially-trained for people with

  • physical disabilities

  • post-traumatic stress

  • traumatic brain injury

  • military sexual trauma

  • and other trauma-related conditions

Service Dogs are trained for those with physical disabilities who could benefit from help with tasks such as:

  • Retrieving items

  • Pushing buttons for elevators and doors

  • Opening and closing doors

  • Turning on or off light switches

PLEASE NOTE:

We do NOT train or place the following types of dogs.

  • Balance Dogs. In lieu of balance support, our dogs are trained to retrieve assistive devices or human aid.

  • Hearing alert/service dogs

  • Medical alert dogs, including diabetic and seizure alert/assistance dogs

  • Scent detection dogs including allergen and gas detection dogs

  • Autism service dogs

  • Dementia service dogs

  • Psychiatric service dogs for civilians

  • Emotional support dogs

The Assistance Dogs International website Assistance Dogs International has a list of accredited organizations that offer these valuable services

SERVICE DOG PLACEMENT PROCESS

  • If you are interested in a service dog, reach out to us online through the “SERVICE DOG APPLICATION REQUEST FORM” (located at the below). Our team will connect with you to determine if a Paws for Purple Hearts (PPH) service dog can meet your needs.

  • If we feel a PPH service dog may be able to meet your needs, you will be invited to complete our application.

    A completed application includes the following:

    1. Your photo (recent within the last year).

    2. A copy of your DD 214. Do not send the original document.

    3. A personal letter of reference from someone other than a family member, such as a friend, colleague, or teacher.

    4. A professional letter of reference from a therapist, social worker, teacher, supervisor, or any other professional with whom you have contact.

    5. A one-page letter stating your reasons for wanting a service dog and how you feel you would benefit from having a service dog.

    6. Contact information for all persons providing supporting documentation (individuals writing reference letters, health care providers, and any other persons sending in documentation).

    7. The completed Assistance Dog Application, which includes:

      1. Supportive Contact Form – Signed acknowledgment from family members or designated supportive contacts confirming these people are aware of your application for a service dog and support the process, the placement of a service dog, and the follow-up of the team.

      2. Mental Health Provider Consent Form – For patients with mental health diagnoses, the form allows us to communicate directly with your mental health treatment provider or treatment team. This consent is required in order for your application to be accepted.

      3. The Applicant Reference – Treatment/Service Provider Reference form identifies any other relevant health providers we may need to contact for information on your need for a service dog.

      4. The Applicant Medical History form*  must be completed by your physician/primary care specialist/mental health provider.

      *For applicants diagnosed with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), the medical history form must be filled out by the professional overseeing your mental health treatment plan. If you are seeking a service dog for PTSD or TBI and mobility impairment, please have both your physician and your mental health provider fill out separate medical history forms.

    To send your application:

    Mail a hard copy to:

    Paws for Purple Hearts
    Attn: Client Services
    10201 Old Redwood Highway
    Penngrove, CA 94951

    or email a scanned copy to: servicedog@pawsforpurplehearts.org

  • After a successful application review by our staff (including our Clinical Consultant), the next steps in the process begin as we send you six social style forms (to be completed by people you select), a preliminary interview form, a request for photos & videos of your home and work (if applicable), request for more information on any household pets, as well as any additional documentation needed from you or your Provider.

  • After we receive all additional forms, we will contact you to schedule an interview. If you are unable to travel to one of our sites for the in-person interview, we will arrange to conduct the interview via video conference. After the interview, we conduct further follow-ups with providers and family members.

  • After the interview, we will notify you if you are selected for a service dog placement. If selected, you will be placed on the waitlist*. It may take two years or more to match you with a dog due to the high demand for service dogs and the necessity of matching each dog carefully to the personality and needs of each client. We strongly recommend that you apply to other service dog organizations, so that you have a greater chance of being matched with a dog as soon as possible. Please see the Assistance Dogs International website for a list of programs throughout the country placing service dogs.

    *Note: there will be routine follow-ups with staff to update the application after acceptance to the waitlist in order to keep all information up to date.

  • Once a potential service dog match has been identified, you will be invited to attend the two-week Service Dog Team Training course held on-site at a Paws for Purple Hearts Facility. At this time, we will conduct a home visit too. Our service dogs and training are provided free of charge; however, other expenses you may need to plan for include: transportation, housing, food, and entertainment expenses while attending the training course.

  • After successful completion of the Team Training course, you will graduate with your dog and will be responsible for the ongoing costs of caring for your new partner, which may include, but are not limited to: food, grooming, toys, other supplies, annual veterinary exam, vaccinations, and other incidental expenses.

    Once a dog is placed with you, we provide ongoing support for the remainder of the working partnership.  We work in partnership with you to support the dog’s health, behavior, temperament, and training through written, phone, video, and in-person follow-up.  We have a staff member dedicated to client services available to communicate with you whenever you need advice, and we are ready to deploy our local professional trainers to consult with you and support your needs on an ongoing basis.

    At a minimum, we proactively reach out for regular follow-ups each month for the first nine months of placement, and then annually thereafter. We do require in-person visits post-graduation, which is the financial responsibility of the client. In addition, we are proud to offer our clients the opportunity to become full owners of their dog, depending on the specifics of each case.  We also know that when a dog approaches retirement, it can be an uncertain and stressful time for our clients, so we give priority to our existing clients who seek a successor dog when their dog approaches retirement.

SERVICE DOG APPLICATION REQUEST FORM

Please answer the following questions as part of your application request.

After receipt of these questions, a staff member will be in contact via email to discuss Step 1 of the application process with you.

FAQS REGARDING HOW TO GET A SERVICE DOG

  • We will review your completed application to determine your eligibility.  Generally this takes about 8 weeks.

  • PPH sends you a series of questionnaires to be completed by people who know you well, along with  a preliminary interview form. You would then complete these forms per the instructions and return them to us. Once we receive and review all questionnaires and the preliminary interview we will contact you to schedule an interview.

  • PPH determines whether you are selected for service dog placement and will notify you.

  • You’ll need to be patient. Due to the high demand for assistance dogs and the careful  matching process,  it may take more than two years to match a client with a dog. We’ll do our best to make sure you get the finest, most compatible service dog available.

  • You will be invited to attend the two-week Service Dog Client Training Boot Camp held at the PPH Facility nearest you.

  • Service dog and boot camp training fees are waived for Paws for Purple Hearts service dog recipients.

    However, you will need to plan for transportation, housing, food and entertainment expenses while attending the training course. Once you graduate with your dog, you may be responsible for the ongoing costs of caring for your new partner including food, grooming, and veterinarian expenses.

    Consult with your PPH adviser for more details.

Recent News and Events

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PAWS FOR PURPLE HEARTS AT WORK

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“You work as a team like in the military, all progressing with the same goal in mind - to make the dogs ready to be utilized by fellow Veterans. Every week you look forward to coming here and being a part of something bigger than yourself.”

-Scott, Chief Warrant Officer 5, Marine Corps, Canine-Assisted Warrior Therapy® participant

We need your support.

Donations to Paws for Purple Hearts can change a Warrior’s life from hopelessness to optimism.

Your generous, tax-deductible donation helps thousands of Warriors facing the visible and invisible wounds of war.  Our Canine Assisted Warrior Therapy helps them heal as they help others – all with the goal of raising top tier service dogs for Veterans and active duty Service Members with mobility and trauma challenges.