Got Your Six Support Dogs

What Got Your Six Support Dogs does

Got Your Six Support Dogs is a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit headquartered at 6 Schiber Court in Maryville, Illinois, founded in 2015 by Executive Director Nicole Lanahan. Its core product is a fully trained PTSD service dog provided at no cost to U.S. military veterans and first responders who have exhausted other treatment options. Selected dogs are fostered and trained by professional trainers for approximately one year, then matched with an applicant through a 14-day in-person pairing program that integrates daily trauma resiliency and suicide prevention courses led by licensed therapists, plus lodging and meals. Reported outcomes from the Class of 2024 SPRINT PTSD survey include a 40% reduction in unwanted memories and nightmares, 43% decrease in re-experiencing symptoms, 47% decrease in physical reactions to triggers, and 41% overall physical and mental improvement, measured six months post-program.

The business model is a hybrid donation-and-earned-revenue nonprofit structure. Primary funding flows through individual monetary donations, a seven-tier corporate sponsorship program (Bronze $250 through Diamond $15,000+), and the Battle Buddies Giving Club, a five-tier monthly recurring giving program ($19-$145/month). Earned revenue comes from the Maryville Dog Training Academy (group classes at $180 for six weeks, private lessons at $90/hour, a Canine Communication Workshop) and from therapy dog certification classes ($300 plus a $150 supply fee), with proceeds explicitly cross-subsidizing the no-cost service dog program. Merchandise is sold through Spreadshirt and Square storefronts, and supply donations are routed via an Amazon Wish List. Average training cost per certified PTSD service dog is cited at approximately $40,750.

The organization is ADI-accredited, holds a BBB Charity Seal and GuideStar Platinum Seal, and was named a 2021 GreatNonprofits Top-Rated Nonprofit. A nine-person staff runs the program, supported by a volunteer board. Strategic partnerships include a 2020 documentary short, "Even Heroes Need Heroes," co-produced with Purina Dog Chow and radio/TV personality Bobby Bones. Current service dog waiting time is 1-2 years, with applications for 2026 already being accepted, indicating demand meaningfully exceeds current placement capacity.

Name

Got Your Six Support Dogs

Legal name

Got Your Six Support Dogs

Website

https://gotyoursixsupportdogs.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Got Your Six Support Dogs is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that trains PTSD service dogs at no cost for U.S. veterans and first responders, pairing each dog through a 14-day program led by licensed therapists. The Maryville, Illinois organization supplements donations with corporate sponsorships, a recurring giving club, and fee-based training classes.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Animal-Assisted Therapy and PTSD Service Dog Placement

NAICS

Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services (81291), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Behavioral Medicine & Training-Integrated Veterinary Services (HLAMAAAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Training-Integrated Dog Daycare (Day Training) (HSANAFAE)

Keywords

• PTSD service dogs
• Veteran support services
• First responder assistance
• Animal-assisted therapy
• Service dog training

Headquarters

HQ city

Maryville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Monetary Donations: The organization operates entirely on donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. All service dogs are provided at no cost to veterans and first responders. Donations are tax-deductible as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships at multiple tiers (Bronze $250-$499, Silver $500-$749, Gold $750-$999, Platinum $1,000-$4,999, Emerald $5,000-$9,999, Ruby $10,000-$14,999, Diamond $15,000+) with recognition plaques and logo placement benefits.
3. Battle Buddies Giving Club (Recurring Membership): Monthly recurring donations at five tiers (Guardian $19/mo, Lookout $27/mo, Protector $57/mo, Defender $104/mo, Sentinel $145/mo) providing steady funding for service dog care and training.
4. Dog Training Academy Fees: Revenue from public dog training classes including group obedience ($180 for 6 weeks), private lessons ($90/hour), therapy dog classes ($300 + $150 supply fee), and other training services. A portion of training proceeds supports the PTSD service dog program.
5. Merchandise Sales: Online store selling apparel and gift items through Spreadshirt. Proceeds support service dog training and placement.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Got Your Six Support Dogs is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that trains and places PTSD service dogs with U.S. veterans and first responders at no cost. The core program consists of approximately one year of professional training followed by a 14-day in-person pairing program that combines service dog matching with daily trauma resiliency and suicide prevention courses led by licensed therapists. Recipients receive the trained dog, all veterinary care, training, and the lodging/meals for the pairing program.

Product overview

Got Your Six Support Dogs operates as a nonprofit charity organization providing specialized PTSD service dogs to veterans and first responders at no cost. The core offerings include trained PTSD service dogs with a 14-day pairing program including trauma resiliency training, and therapy dog training for community volunteers. The Dog Training Academy offers fee-based group classes and private lessons for pet owners, with proceeds supporting the service dog mission. The Battle Buddies Giving Club provides recurring monthly giving options, while the Sponsorship Program offers corporate partnership tiers. All services are provided free to eligible veterans and first responders, funded through donations, sponsorships, and training academy proceeds.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Battle Buddies Giving Club: A recurring giving club with membership levels (Sentinel, Defender, Protector, Lookout, Guardian) that provides steady funding for service dogs in training.

Products and services

• PTSD Service Dog Placement Program Fully trained PTSD service dogs provided at no cost to U.S. veterans and first responders who have exhausted other treatment options. Selected dogs are trained for approximately one year by professional trainers, then matched with applicants through a 14-day in-person pairing program that includes daily trauma resiliency and suicide prevention courses led by licensed therapists. The organization covers all costs including the dog, training, veterinary care, and the recipient's meals and hotel stay during the pairing program.
• Therapy Dog Training Classes Therapy dog training and certification program for owners of dogs at least one year old who have completed basic and intermediate group training. Graduates can volunteer in their communities with their certified therapy dogs in nursing homes, hospitals, courthouses, libraries, and crisis settings. Cost is $300 plus a $150 supply fee covering vest, identification badges, and 500 trading cards.
• Dog Training Academy (Group and Private Lessons) Fee-based dog training classes held at the organization's state-of-the-art, climate-controlled facility in Maryville, Illinois. Offerings include beginner, intermediate, and advanced obedience, agility foundations, pet CPR, and therapy dog skills. Group classes are $180 for six weeks; private lessons are $90 per hour. Includes a Canine Communication Workshop human-only seminar covering dog body language, stress signals, communication, and learning.
• Merchandise Store Online store selling apparel and gift items through Spreadshirt and Square.site, with proceeds supporting service dog training and placement.

Quantifiable outcome

• 40% decrease in unwanted memories, nightmares, or reminders of traumatic events (Class of 2024, 6 months post-program)
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered flagship.

• Bobby Bones (Radio & TV Personality)flagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2021Radio and TV personality Bobby Bones collaborated with Got Your Six and Purina Dog Chow on the 'Even Heroes Need Heroes' documentary short film bringing visibility to the need for PTSD service dogs for veterans.
• Purina Dog ChowflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2020Purina Dog Chow partnered with Got Your Six Support Dogs and radio/TV personality Bobby Bones to produce a documentary short film titled 'Even Heroes Need Heroes,' highlighting the impact of PTSD service dogs on veterans. This partnership received significant media coverage across multiple outlets including Cision PR Newswire, Pet Business, and Sounds Like Nashville.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Patriot Service Dogs: Trains and places service dogs with veterans diagnosed with PTSD and other service-connected disabilities. Comparable in service model, eligibility criteria, and donation-funded operations.
• Paws for Purple Hearts: Provides trained service dogs to veterans and active-duty service members with PTSD and TBI, including in-hospital and therapeutic program components. Directly comparable mission and integration with mental health services.
• 4 Paws for Ability: Provides trained service dogs to veterans with PTSD and children with disabilities. Comparable in mission, training methodology, and donation-funded placement model.
• Hero Dogs Inc. Trains and places service dogs with veterans and first responders with PTSD and other disabilities. Comparable in no-cost service model, volunteer-driven training program, and Maryland-based operations.
• Semper K9: Provides trained service dogs to veterans with PTSD and TBI at no cost. Closely comparable in target population, no-cost service model, and donation-based funding approach.
• America's VetDogs: Affiliated with Guide Dogs of America, this organization trains and places service dogs with veterans and first responders with disabilities including PTSD. Closely comparable service model and recipient profile.
• K9s For Warriors: The largest PTSD service dog organization in the U.S., providing trained service dogs to military veterans suffering from PTSD at no cost. Directly comparable in mission, service model, and target population.
• Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs: Trains and places medical service dogs with veterans, first responders, and civilians with disabilities including PTSD. Comparable in training intensity, pairing process, and recipient support model.

Broad incumbents

• Canine Companions for Independence: One of the largest and longest-established service dog organizations in the U.S., placing dogs with individuals across multiple disability categories. Comparable in service dog training methodology and accreditation status but broader in scope beyond PTSD.
• ECAD (Educating Canines Assisting with Disabilities): Trains service dogs for veterans and individuals with disabilities, including PTSD-specific programs. Comparable in service dog training and veteran-focused offerings but with broader disability scope.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/GotYour6Dogs
• Facebookfacebook.com/gotyoursixptsdsupportdogs
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/got-your-six-support-dogs
• Instagraminstagram.com/gotyoursixsupport

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 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 Got Your Six Support Dogs