America’s VetDogs

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.

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

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

• Service dog training
• Assistance dog programs
• Veteran disability support
• Nonprofit charity services
• Guide dog programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Smithtown

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Direct contributions from individual donors supporting the organization's mission to provide free service dogs to veterans and first responders.
2. Corporate Partnerships: Partnerships with corporations like Deloitte, Pen Fed Credit Union, Window World, Kroger, and Western Governors University who sponsor puppies, events, and programs.
3. Dog Naming Sponsorship: Dog sponsors who make a $6,000 donation can select the name of a puppy.
4. Merchandise Sales: Online store selling plush puppies and merchandise, with proceeds supporting the mission.
5. Event Fundraising: Annual events including GiveBark250 campaign, Golf Classic, 5K Run & Dog Walk, and other fundraising events.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core 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

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• Vegas Golden KnightscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Vegas 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 ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Nashville 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 FoundationflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022The 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 TexansflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Houston 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.
• KrogercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Kroger 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 FCflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Atlanta 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 IslandersflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019The 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 CapitalsflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Washington 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)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2019WBAL-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 ShowflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016In 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 UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWestern 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.
• NBCUniversalcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNBCUniversal 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 DodocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe 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 BlindflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerGuide 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

Direct 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

• Xx.com/americasvetdogs
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/AmericasVetDogs
• Facebookfacebook.com/AmericasVetDogs
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/america's-vetdogs
• Instagraminstagram.com/americasvetdogs

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about America’s VetDogs