Dogs2DogTags

What Dogs2DogTags does

Dogs2DogTags (legal name Dogs to Dog Tags; DBA D2DT) is a Wisconsin-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2016 by Torre Willadsen. The organization rescues and trains dogs and places them at no cost with U.S. military veterans diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety, and traumatic brain injuries. It also provides emotional support animals, canine companions, and training for veterans' own dogs, plus an online merchandise store and community dog training and playgroups.

The organization's core technology is a service dog training methodology developed by founder Torre Willadsen, drawing on more than 20 years of military and civilian dog training experience including prior work with the Department of Defense, Homeland Security, TSA, Special Forces, and a 2012 deployment as a civilian contractor with the 7th Marines. Credentials include DOD Certified Dog Trainer, ATF Certified Military Dog Trainer, and Department of Defense K-9 Handler trainer certifications. Additional capacity comes from part-time trainer Jon Arndt (Marine Corps and Air Force K-9 handler experience, FBI certifications, three combat life saves). A dedicated training facility and office were purchased in Plymouth, Wisconsin in 2022, with an expansion underway to add 12 dog kennels, a veterinary room, bathrooms, a kitchen, and heat.

Dogs2DogTags operates on a donation-funded nonprofit model. Revenue comes from individual donations (one-time and recurring monthly at $10, $25, $40, $50, $100, and custom levels), a formal three-tier corporate partnership program (Sustaining, Program, and Event Partners), branded merchandise sales, and recurring community fundraising events including Vines2Vets 5K Fun Run, Charity Golf Challenges at The Baths of Blackwolf Run, Bands2Boots, and Ride2Rescue. The Thomas Z. Spitzer Angel Fund provides emergency veterinary care for dogs in the program. Veteran recipients pay nothing; the organization absorbs all training, veterinary, supply, and transportation costs.

Name

Dogs2DogTags

Legal name

Dogs to Dog Tags

Website

https://dogs2dogtags.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Dogs2DogTags is a Wisconsin-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that rescues and trains dogs, placing them at no cost with U.S. military veterans diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety, and traumatic brain injuries, and supporting them through ongoing training and emergency veterinary care funding.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Service Dog Training and Placement Services

NAICS

Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services (81291)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Animal Shelters & Adoption Services (BPAGAIAA)

Keywords

• Service dog training
• Veteran mental health support
• Rescue dog placement
• PTSD assistance programs
• Nonprofit veteran services

Headquarters

HQ city

Plymouth

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Dogs2DogTags relies primarily on tax-deductible donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. The organization offers one-time and recurring monthly donation options at various levels ($10, $25, $40, $50, $100, or custom amounts).
2. Partnership Programs: Three partnership tiers: Sustaining Partners (multi-year investment), Program Partners (rescue dogs, food, supplies, veterinary care), and Event Partners (brand visibility at events). Also includes Thomas Z. Spitzer Angel Fund for emergency veterinary care.
3. Merchandise Sales: Online store selling branded merchandise (apparel, accessories) to supporters through dogs2dogtags.itemorder.com.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Dogs2DogTags rescues and trains dogs and places them at no cost with U.S. military veterans diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety, and traumatic brain injuries. Core programs include service dog placement, emotional support animal matching, canine companion pairing, and dog obedience training and playgroups, with veterans able to also receive training assistance for their own dogs. All training, supplies, veterinary care, and transportation costs are absorbed by the organization, supported by donations, corporate partnerships, and event-based fundraising.

Product overview

Dogs2DogTags is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates as a single integrated program focused on connecting rescued and donated dogs with veterans living with PTSD, anxiety, and other invisible wounds of war. The organization offers a unified service combining dog rescue, professional training, and veteran matching—all provided at no cost to the veteran. Core offerings include service dog placement, emotional support animals, and canine companions, supported by dog training services, playgroups, and an emergency veterinary care fund (Thomas Z. Spitzer Angel Fund). The organization also operates an online store for merchandise and hosts fundraising events including the Vines2Vets 5K Fun Run and Golf Outings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Service Dog Program Rescues and trains dogs and places them with U.S. military veterans diagnosed with PTSD and anxiety at no cost to the veteran. Provided at no cost, including all training, supplies, veterinary care, and transportation.
• Emotional Support Animal Program Provides emotional support animals to veterans living with PTSD and anxiety to help them cope with unique challenges in everyday life, delivered free of charge to qualifying veterans.
• Canine Companion Program Matches trained canine companions with veterans to provide ongoing support and improved quality of life, delivered free of charge to qualifying veterans.
• Dog Training Services and Playgroups Provides structured obedience training, service dog training preparation, and playgroups led by trainers with military and law enforcement backgrounds. Available to veterans and members of the public at the Plymouth, Wisconsin facility.
• Veteran Dog Training Assistance Works with veterans who already have their own dogs to develop the skills required for a service dog or highly-trained canine companion, supporting veterans who prefer to train alongside their existing animal.

Quantifiable outcome

• Service dogs meaningfully change (by 10+ points based on research) the symptoms of PTSD and depression while increasing quality of life
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, moderate and core.

• Abacus ArchitectsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVeteran-friendly employer partner listed on the organization's supporters page, demonstrating commitment to veteran causes in the Wisconsin community.
• AcuityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVeteran-friendly employer partner supporting the organization's mission to connect rescue dogs with veterans living with PTSD and anxiety.
• Bank FirstminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVeteran-friendly employer and supporter of Dogs2DogTags mission.
• Cow Country RadiominorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia partner providing coverage and support for veteran-focused initiatives.
• Kohler CompanymoderateGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor corporate partner and veteran-friendly employer supporting Dogs2DogTags. The Kohler Veteran Alliance also partners separately with the organization.
• Kohler Veteran AlliancemoderateGTM or Marketing PartnerDedicated veteran alliance arm of Kohler partnering with Dogs2DogTags for veteran support initiatives.
• Modern WoodmenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFraternal organization supporting the organization through representative Greg Schoemer.
• PlexusmoderateGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner with a Shared Purpose blog post about finding employment after military service, demonstrating commitment to veteran transition support.
• RehlkominorGTM or Marketing PartnerVeteran-friendly employer supporting Dogs2DogTags mission.
• TDS FiberminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTelecommunications company supporting veteran-focused community initiatives.
• Van Horn Automotive GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAutomotive group supporting veteran-friendly employer initiatives.
• Program PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvide rescued dogs with home, food, supplies, veterinary care, and safe transportation for service dog training. Remove financial barriers so veterans receive trained dogs at no cost.
• Event PartnersmoderateGTM or Marketing PartnerCompanies featured prominently in marketing materials and event signage with increased brand visibility as veteran-friendly employers. Event partnerships available at various budget levels.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• K9s For Warriors: The largest U.S. nonprofit providing service dogs to veterans with PTSD/TBI. Directly comparable mission, target population, and free-to-veteran model, but operates at significantly larger national scale.
• Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs: Nonprofit training and placing service dogs with veterans and others with disabilities. Comparable free-placement model for veterans with PTSD and physical disabilities.
• Paws for Purple Hearts: Provides service dogs for veterans and active-duty service members with PTSD/TBI. Comparable model with additional focus on canine-assisted therapy and VA hospital partnerships.
• Patriot Paws Service Dogs: Nonprofit providing service dogs to disabled American veterans at no cost. Directly comparable mission with similar training curriculum and free-placement model.
• America's VetDogs: Affiliated with Guide Dog Foundation, trains and places service dogs with veterans with disabilities including PTSD. Comparable service model with national reach and strong VA/government partnerships.

Broad incumbents

• Southeastern Guide Dogs: Established nonprofit training guide and service dogs. Comparable dog training infrastructure and free-to-recipient model, but broader mission beyond just veterans.
• Canine Companions for Independence: Larger established nonprofit providing service dogs across multiple disability categories (not exclusively veterans). Comparable training methodology and nonprofit structure with broader mission scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/dogs2dogtags

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Dogs2DogTags