Brown and white service dog sitting next to a uniformed military person

An extension of our Prison Training Program, the Paws for Life K9 PTSD Service Dog Program transforms rescue dogs into full-time Service Dogs who are changing the lives of Veterans living with PTSD.

Prospective service dogs are selected and after passing their initial base training in the PFL Canine Good Citizen program, select canine candidates continue their training to potentially become full-time service dogs.

Twelve-Month Training Program

A brown and white dog with a Service Dog harness
Arnold, a PTSD 12-month program trainee.

This 12 month program prepares the dogs to handle the rigors of working in various environments and accomplishing PTSD disability specific tasks such as:

  • Recognizing signs of agitation, anxiety, or stress & interrupting those behaviors
  • Interrupting flashbacks or night terrors
  • Retrieving medications & water bottles
  • Alerting family members or medical alert device
  • Blocking people from getting too close to the handler
  • Alerting to people approaching from behind

For more details on the PTSD Service Dog Program and the application process please download our PTSD Service Dog Program Flyer.

APPLY FOR A SERVICE DOG

Questions? Comments?

Please call us  310-738-0842

Or Email Us info@pawsforlifek9.org