America’s VetDogs
America's VetDogs is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that trains and places service dogs free of charge to U.S. veterans, active-duty service members, and first responders with disabilities, operating from Smithtown, New York in conjunction with the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2003
- HeadquartersSmithtown, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What America’s VetDogs does
America's VetDogs is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2003 as a program of the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, operating from a shared Smithtown, New York campus. The organization trains and places service dogs free of charge to veterans, active-duty service members, and (since 2015) first responders with physical disabilities, hearing loss, and other conditions including Military Sexual Trauma (MST). All services are provided at no cost to recipients.
The core product is a fully trained assistance dog, with production cost exceeding $50,000 per dog. The training pipeline uses volunteer foster families and a Prison Puppy Program that reportedly reduces formal training time by half, supported by 1,400+ volunteers contributing more than 4 million hours annually. The organization operates the Veterans K-9 Corps initiative and trademarked programs including "Puppy with a Purpose" (launched 2016 in partnership with NBC's TODAY Show), "Second Sight Shop," and "Live Without Boundaries." America's VetDogs is dually accredited by Assistance Dogs International (ADI) and the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF), and is registered as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit.
The organization is funded through donations, corporate partnerships, dog naming sponsorships ($6,000 per puppy), merchandise sales, and event-based fundraising. Recognized corporate sponsors include Deloitte, PenFed, Window World, Kroger, and Western Governors University. America's VetDogs is governed by a combined leadership team with the Guide Dog Foundation (President & CEO John Miller, CFO Bibi Ali, CDO Dawn Dioguardo, CMO Mike Rosen, Chief Canine Care Officer Grete Eide) and collectively with its parent has placed more than 3,300 dogs across all 50 U.S. states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and Canada.
America’s VetDogs firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- America’s VetDogs
- Legal name
- America's VetDogs Inc
- Website
- https://vetdogs.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2003
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- America's VetDogs is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that trains and places service dogs free of charge to U.S. veterans, active-duty service members, and first responders with disabilities, operating from Smithtown, New York in conjunction with the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
America’s VetDogs industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Service Dog Training & Placement
- NAICS
- Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Veterinary Charity Clinics & Medical Aid (BPAGAIAD)
Keywords
Where America’s VetDogs is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Smithtown
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
America’s VetDogs business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: Direct contributions from individual donors supporting the organization's mission to provide free service dogs to veterans and first responders.
- Corporate Partnerships: Partnerships with corporations like Deloitte, Pen Fed Credit Union, Window World, Kroger, and Western Governors University who sponsor puppies, events, and programs.
- Dog Naming Sponsorship: Dog sponsors who make a $6,000 donation can select the name of a puppy.
- Merchandise Sales: Online store selling plush puppies and merchandise, with proceeds supporting the mission.
- Event Fundraising: Annual events including GiveBark250 campaign, Golf Classic, 5K Run & Dog Walk, and other fundraising events.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | One time | Free Assistance Dog Services |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
America’s VetDogs product offering
Product offeringCore offering
America's VetDogs breeds, raises, and trains assistance dogs—primarily Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and Lab/Golden crosses—and places them free of charge with veterans, active-duty service members, and first responders with disabilities. Programs cover physical mobility, visual impairment, PTSD, hearing loss, seizure response, military facility duty, and Military Sexual Trauma (MST) support, with the training anchored in the Four Foundations method and more than 200 customizable task commands.
Product overview
America's VetDogs is a nonprofit organization that provides a comprehensive suite of assistance dog programs to veterans, active-duty service members, and first responders with disabilities. The core offerings include Service Dogs, Guide Dogs, PTSD Service Dogs, Seizure Response Dogs, Military Facility Dogs, Hearing Dogs, and Service Dogs for Military Sexual Trauma survivors—all provided free of charge. Supporting programs include the Puppy with a Purpose partnership program, Volunteer Programs, the Prison Puppy Program, Alumni Support Services, retail merchandise sales, and fundraising events (5K Run and Golf Classic). The organization operates from its Smithtown, NY campus and relies on volunteers, corporate partnerships, and donations to fund its mission.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Service Dog Program Provides customized mobility and physical-disability assistance dogs trained via the Four Foundations method and 200+ task commands, placed free of charge with veterans, active-duty service members, and first responders with disabilities.
- Guide Dog Program Provides guide dogs trained to assist veterans and first responders with visual impairment, leveraging more than 80 years of combined guide dog experience with the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind.
- PTSD Service Dog Program Provides psychiatric service dogs trained to mitigate PTSD symptoms for veterans, active-duty service members, and first responders with service-related PTSD, placed at no cost to recipients.
- Seizure Response Dog Program Provides seizure response dogs trained to alert and respond to seizures in veterans and first responders living with seizure disorders.
- Military Facility Dog Program Places facility dogs in military settings to work alongside handlers and clinicians in support of service members' treatment and duty activities.
- Hearing Dog Program Provides hearing dogs trained to alert veterans and first responders with hearing loss to important environmental and household sounds.
- Service Dog Program for MST Survivors Provides service dogs trained to support veterans who are survivors of Military Sexual Trauma, with customized tasks addressing their specific clinical needs.
- Puppy with a Purpose Program Volunteer-based puppy-raising program that socializes Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and Lab/Golden crosses as future assistance dogs for America's VetDogs.
- Prison Puppy Program Partnership program with correctional facilities that hosts puppies in early-stage raising and socialization as a feeder pipeline into the assistance dog training program.
- Alumni Support Services Provides lifetime follow-up training and support to America's VetDogs graduate teams through regional field instructors and ongoing program resources.
- VetDogs PX Store Online merchandise storefront offering branded apparel and products, with proceeds supporting America's VetDogs' mission of placing service dogs with veterans and first responders.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 3,300 assistance dogs placed
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use America’s VetDogs
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
America’s VetDogs technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
America’s VetDogs partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.
- Vegas Golden KnightscoreVegas Golden Knights announced partnership with America’s VetDogs on January 5, 2024, to co-raise a future service dog. This is the first Puppy with a Purpose partnership for the Stanley Cup Champion team. The puppy will attend T-Mobile Arena events and team activities.
- Nashville Soccer ClubcoreNashville SC partnered with America’s VetDogs and Western Governors University to sponsor and co-raise Cash, a future service dog through the Puppy with a Purpose program. The partnership was announced March 20, 2023, with the puppy attending home matches at Geodis Park.
- New York Mets / Amazin' Mets FoundationflagshipThe Amazin' Mets Foundation became the first MLB team to sponsor a Puppy with a Purpose, raising Shea (born January 2022) as a future service dog. Shea was featured in the Mets Hall of Fame and Museum inside Citi Field and returned to campus in June 2023 for formal training before placement.
- Houston TexansflagshipHouston Texans partnered with America’s VetDogs and Kroger to raise future service dogs. Kirby was placed with retired Army Sergeant Major Kevin Bittenbender in December 2022. Blitz (Texans Pup 2.0) was announced in August 2023. Puppies attend practices, games, and community events for training socialization.
- KrogercoreKroger partnered with Houston Texans and America’s VetDogs to raise future service dogs. The grocery retailer co-sponsored both Kirby and Blitz, bringing community involvement from Kroger's Houston Division (100+ stores in SE Texas and Louisiana, 18,000+ associates).
- Atlanta United FCflagshipAtlanta United became the first MLS club to partner with America’s VetDogs, raising Spike (2019-2020) and King (2021) as future service dogs through the Puppy with a Purpose program. Both puppies were trained at the team's facilities and attended home games and community events before being returned for formal training.
- New York IslandersflagshipThe NY Islanders partnered with America’s VetDogs to raise future service dogs through the Puppy with a Purpose program. The team has raised multiple puppies including Radar (guide dog), Tori, Jethro, Marty, Butchie, and Monte. The partnership includes annual Pucks and Paws charity calendar sales benefitting the organization. Puppies attend games, practices, and community events for socialization.
- Washington CapitalsflagshipWashington Capitals partnered with America’s VetDogs to raise service dogs in training. Captain was placed with retired U.S. Marine Corps Master Sgt. Mark Gwathmey in June 2021. The Capitals have raised multiple puppies including Captain, Biscuit, and others through the Puppy with a Purpose program, attending games and community events.
- WBAL-TV (NBC Baltimore)coreWBAL-TV NBC News Baltimore partnered with America’s VetDogs to raise Brooks as a Puppy with a Purpose. Holly Eschrich raised Brooks, who attended Orioles games at Camden Yards and community events throughout Baltimore.
- NBC's TODAY ShowflagshipIn 2016, NBC's TODAY Show became the organization's first Puppy with a Purpose partner, announcing the first future service dog in training on national television. This partnership became a catalyst that sparked relationships with professional sports teams including NY Islanders, Washington Capitals, Atlanta United, Houston Texans, NY Mets, Nashville Soccer Club, and various corporate entities. The TODAY Show partnership brought national visibility to the organization and its mission.
- Western Governors UniversitycoreWestern Governors University (WGU) Tennessee partnered with Nashville Soccer Club and America’s VetDogs to sponsor Cash, a future service dog. WGU's involvement provides educational connection to the partnership.
- NBCUniversalcoreNBCUniversal partnered with America’s VetDogs for the Puppy with a Purpose program, featuring Atlas the puppy on NBC stations across the country, including NBC News Baltimore (WBAL-TV). The partnership includes coverage on The Dodo and various NBC News stations.
- The DodocoreThe Dodo partnered with America’s VetDogs to feature Vito the puppy and raise awareness of the Puppy with a Purpose program through their popular animal content platform.
- Guide Dog Foundation for the BlindflagshipGuide Dog Foundation for the Blind is America's VetDogs' parent/sister organization, sharing the same Smithtown, NY campus, staff, and resources. Founded in 1946, the Guide Dog Foundation has 80+ years of experience and serves individuals who are blind or have low vision. Together the organizations have placed over 3,300 assistance dogs.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
America’s VetDogs competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Canine Companions for Independence: One of the largest U.S. nonprofit assistance-dog organizations, accredited by ADI, that trains and places service, hearing, facility, and skilled companion dogs at no cost to recipients. Directly comparable in mission (free placement), accreditation profile, and multi-program scope to America's VetDogs.
- K9s For Warriors: Nonprofit that exclusively pairs rescue dogs with veterans suffering from PTSD, TBI, and Military Sexual Trauma. Closely comparable to VetDogs' veteran-focused PTSD service dog program and shares the same donor pool and government-grant competition.
- Patriot Paws Service Dogs: Nonprofit that trains and provides service dogs at no cost to disabled American veterans, with a focus on mobility and PTSD. Comparable in veteran-centric mission, free-of-charge model, and reliance on volunteer puppy raisers.
- NEADS World-Class Service Dogs: Accredited nonprofit that trains and places service, hearing, and assistance dogs for veterans, adults with disabilities, and children. Shares the multi-program structure and free-of-charge placement model with America's VetDogs.
- The Seeing Eye: One of the oldest accredited guide-dog schools in the U.S. (founded 1929), placing guide dogs with people who are blind or have low vision. Directly comparable to VetDogs' Guide Dog programming via its parent, Guide Dog Foundation.
- Guide Dogs of America: IGDF- and ADI-accredited guide-dog school that provides guide dogs free of charge to blind and visually impaired individuals. Comparable in free-of-charge, IGDF-accredited guide dog placement to VetDogs' parent program.
- Southeastern Guide Dogs: Accredited nonprofit that trains guide dogs, service dogs, and skilled companions at no cost, with similar puppy-raising volunteer infrastructure. Comparable scope, accreditation, and free-of-charge model.
- Susquehanna Service Dogs: ADI-accredited nonprofit training mobility and service dogs for veterans and individuals with disabilities, including PTSD service dogs. Comparable in training scope, ADI accreditation, and donor-funded free placement to veterans.
Emerging players
- Dogs for Better Lives: Formerly Dogs for the Deaf; nonprofit that trains service dogs (hearing, autism assistance, facility) placed at no cost. Smaller scope than VetDogs but overlaps on the hearing/facility dog category and nonprofit fund-raising model.
Broad incumbents
- Pet Partners: Large therapy-animal organization (formerly Delta Society) that certifies therapy dog teams across multiple categories. Broader, therapy-focused portfolio but overlaps with VetDogs on the animal-assisted services for veterans and disability communities.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
America’s VetDogs social profiles
Digital presenceAmerica’s VetDogs compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance6 records
America’s VetDogs financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
America’s VetDogs leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
America’s VetDogs funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
America’s VetDogs M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about America’s VetDogs
What does America’s VetDogs do?
America's VetDogs breeds, raises, and trains assistance dogs—primarily Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and Lab/Golden crosses—and places them free of charge with veterans, active-duty service members, and first responders with disabilities. Programs cover physical mobility, visual impairment, PTSD, hearing loss, seizure response, military facility duty, and Military Sexual Trauma (MST) support, with the training anchored in the Four Foundations method and more than 200 customizable task commands.
Is America’s VetDogs a public or private company?
America’s VetDogs is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was America’s VetDogs founded?
America’s VetDogs was founded in 2003. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is America’s VetDogs based?
America’s VetDogs is headquartered in Smithtown, United States, in the North America region.
How does America’s VetDogs make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are corporate Partnerships, dog Naming Sponsorship, merchandise Sales and event Fundraising.
Who are America’s VetDogs's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Canine Companions for Independence, K9s For Warriors, Patriot Paws Service Dogs, NEADS World-Class Service Dogs, The Seeing Eye, Guide Dogs of America, Southeastern Guide Dogs and Susquehanna Service Dogs. Dogs for Better Lives is listed as an emerging player. Pet Partners is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does America’s VetDogs have an API?
No public API is recorded for America’s VetDogs.
What industry is America’s VetDogs in?
America’s VetDogs's product category is Service Dog Training & Placement. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAIAD, Veterinary Charity Clinics & Medical Aid. Its NAICS code is 6243 and its SIC code is 8300.