Paws for Purple Hearts
Paws for Purple Hearts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that breeds, trains and places service dogs with U.S. Veterans and active-duty Service Members facing mobility limitations or PTSD/TBI, while running Canine-Assisted Warrior Therapy programs through six regional facilities at no cost to recipients.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2006
- HeadquartersCanyonville, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Paws for Purple Hearts does
Paws for Purple Hearts (PPH), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit separately incorporated in 2011 with roots in a 2006 Bergin University of Canine Studies program, trains and places service dogs with U.S. Veterans and active-duty Service Members facing mobility challenges or trauma-related conditions such as PTSD, TBI and MST. The organization runs a purpose-bred Golden and Labrador Retriever program with comprehensive health and temperament screening and a 2.5-year curriculum of over 110 commands covering mobility assistance, psychiatric support and quadriplegic-level tasks; each dog costs roughly $35,000 to prepare. Its flagship Canine-Assisted Warrior Therapy (CAWT) model has Warriors train dogs for fellow Warriors, supported by Facility Dog placements in VA and military settings, a Puppy Parent volunteer program, and multi-week Client Training team courses.
Programs are delivered at no charge through six regional facilities in California (Menlo Park), Oregon (Canyonville HQ), Virginia (Ruther Glen), Alaska (Anchorage), Texas (San Antonio), California (San Diego) and Washington (Lakewood), operated through licensed VA Hospital and military base partnerships (Palo Alto/Menlo Park VA, Hunter Holmes McGuire VAMC, Hampton VAMC, San Jose VA Clinic, JBER's True North Program). The organization is led by founder Dr. Bonnie "Bonnie" Bergin as President and CEO, the individual who coined the term "Service Dog" in 1975.
All services are provided free to Warriors; revenue is sourced exclusively from donations, corporate partnerships (e.g., REI, Cavender Auto Group, Virginia Natural Gas), Amazon Wish List in-kind contributions, and grant funding (over $1.8 million cumulative over 10 years), supplemented by an affiliate arrangement with TravelingToGive. Cumulative impact is reported at 20,083 lives improved, 24,134+ therapy session participation slots and 211 dogs deployed.
Paws for Purple Hearts firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Paws for Purple Hearts
- Legal name
- Paws for Purple Hearts
- Website
- https://pawsforpurplehearts.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2006
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Paws for Purple Hearts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that breeds, trains and places service dogs with U.S. Veterans and active-duty Service Members facing mobility limitations or PTSD/TBI, while running Canine-Assisted Warrior Therapy programs through six regional facilities at no cost to recipients.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Paws for Purple Hearts industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Service Animal Training
- NAICS
- Veterinary Services (54194), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431), Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (621340)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Veterinary Charity Clinics & Medical Aid (BPAGAIAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Veterans Affairs & Military Family Services (BPAIAHAL), Behavioral Medicine & Training-Integrated Veterinary Services (HLAMAAAI), DME, Mobility & Assistive Devices (Wheelchairs, Braces, Recovery Collars) (HLAMAFAN)
Keywords
Where Paws for Purple Hearts is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Canyonville
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices7 records
Markets served
Paws for Purple Hearts business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Others
Revenue model
- Donations: Individual donors contribute monetary donations through the website, by check, or in person. Donations are tax-deductible as PPH is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
- Corporate Partnerships: Corporate donors and partners provide financial support, in-kind donations, matching gift programs, and sponsorships. Companies like REI, Cavender Auto Group, and Virginia Natural Gas have provided significant support.
- Amazon Wishlist Donations: In-kind donations through Amazon Wish Lists where supporters purchase dog supplies, toys, treats, and office supplies directly for PPH sites.
- Grant Funding: PPH has received over $1,800,000 in grant money from various businesses and foundations over 10 years. Major grants have supported site expansions and program operations.
- TravelingToGive Partnership: Through partnership with TravelingToGive, PPH receives 2.5% of hotel and rental car bookings made through the travel blog 'Pull Over and Let Me Out' by Anna Marie Jehorek.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels10 records
Paws for Purple Hearts product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Paws for Purple Hearts trains and places service dogs with U.S. military Veterans and active-duty Service Members who have physical disabilities, PTSD, or traumatic brain injuries. The organization also delivers Canine-Assisted Warrior Therapy (CAWT) sessions and places facility dogs in VA and military treatment facilities. All services are provided free of charge to Warriors through six facilities across the United States.
Product overview
Paws for Purple Hearts operates as a nonprofit providing a coordinated portfolio of canine-assisted programs for Veterans and active-duty Service Members. The core offerings center on Service Dogs for Veterans (trained for mobility assistance and PTSD/TBI support) and Canine-Assisted Warrior Therapy® (CAWT), a therapeutic program where Warriors help train dogs for fellow Warriors. Supporting programs include Facility Dogs placed in healthcare settings, the Puppy Parent volunteer program for puppy socialization, and Client Training that matches Warriors with their service dogs. All programs operate through six regional facilities across the US and are provided at no cost to qualifying Warriors.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Canine-Assisted Warrior Therapy®: A goal-oriented therapeutic intervention supporting Veterans in treatment for PTSD, TBI, and other diagnoses through service dog training.
Products and services
- Service Dogs for Veterans
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 20,083 lives directly improved
- +9 more outcomes
Companies that use Paws for Purple Hearts
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Paws for Purple Hearts technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Paws for Purple Hearts partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and moderate.
- REI (Recreational Equipment, Inc.)minorREI chose PPH Washington as their organization of the month in November 2023, raising funds for the facility during the holiday season. Donations supported PPH Washington's operations and programs.
- TravelingToGive (Solutionz Innovations)minorTravelingToGive partner program integrates fundraising into travel planning. Anna Marie Jehorek's blog 'Pull Over and Let Me Out' designates PPH as beneficiary, with 2.5% of hotel and rental car bookings donated to the organization.
- Bergin University of Canine StudiescoreBergin University (formerly The Assistance Dog Institute) is the parent organization that developed the PPH program model. A licensing agreement ensures PPH maintains program quality standards and continues to receive research and development best practices from the university. The Menlo Park location began as a research program at the university.
- Assistance Dogs InternationalcoreInternational accrediting body for assistance dog programs. PPH is an accredited member, indicating compliance with industry quality standards.
- Military Order of the Purple Heart Services FoundationcoreLicenses the use of the 'Purple Heart' trademark to PPH. Agreement includes conditions maintaining mission sanctity and restricting sale of war-related products.
- Cavender Auto GroupmoderateCavender Cares partnership through which Cavender Auto Group supports PPH San Antonio. The company has provided vehicle donations for Warriors and matching donations for fundraisers, embodying the 'Warriors Helping Warriors' motto.
- Coalition for Government ProcurementminorPPH was selected as a beneficiary of the Coalition for Government Procurement's 10th Annual Joseph P. Caggiano Memorial Golf Tournament, receiving funds through this government contracting industry event.
- Rosie's (Ruther Glen Restaurant)minorLocal restaurant partnership at the Ruther Glen, Virginia location. Documented in photos showing community engagement activities.
- JW Woodworking CompanyminorDonated raffle basket for Howl-O-Ween event at PPH Washington, contributing to community fundraising efforts.
- Dancing Goats CoffeeminorDonated raffle basket for Howl-O-Ween event at PPH Washington, supporting community engagement and fundraising.
- True North Program (JBER)moderatePartnership with Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson's True North Program places Specialist Therapy Dog Elma with LCSW Sara to create mental health access opportunities for Warriors at the Alaska military base.
- VA Domiciliary and Chris Kyle Patriots HospitalmoderateAlaska VA facilities approved for in-person Canine-Assisted Warrior Therapy sessions. PPH Program Instructors navigate VA and CDC guidelines to conduct therapeutic programs.
Scale indicators17 records
Recent moves12 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Paws for Purple Hearts competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Warrior Canine Connection: Veteran-service-dog nonprofit whose therapeutic model (veterans help train service dogs) closely mirrors PPH's CAWT mission and target outcomes.
- K9s For Warriors: Nonprofit that rescues and trains service dogs exclusively for U.S. military veterans with PTSD/TBI. Directly comparable mission, target population, and service-dog delivery model.
- NEADS World Class Service Dogs: Nonprofit training service dogs for veterans, civilians with disabilities, and hearing-loss clients. Overlaps in veteran-targeted mobility and PTSD support programs.
- America's VetDogs: Affiliated with Guide Dogs for the Blind, trains and places service dogs with disabled veterans and active-duty service members. Directly comparable target customer and program structure.
- Canine Companions for Independence: Large nonprofit service-dog organization providing highly trained dogs to people with disabilities (including veterans). Comparable in service-dog training rigor, ADI accreditation, and nonprofit funding model.
- ECAD (Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities): Nonprofit training service dogs for mobility assistance and veterans with PTSD. Comparable program mix and nonprofit distribution model.
Broad incumbents
- Guide Dogs for the Blind: Established, large-scale service-dog nonprofit (parent of America's VetDogs). Comparable in training rigor and ADI membership but focuses primarily on guide work.
Others
- Bergin University of Canine Studies: Research and education partner from which PPH originated; maintains a licensing agreement with PPH and supplies R&D and program-quality standards. Enabling/ecosystem relationship.
- Disability Rights Advocates (veteran-focused legal aid): Adjacent ecosystem participant advocating for veterans' disability rights. Listed as thematic adjacency rather than direct competition; included to reflect the broader veteran-services ecosystem PPH operates in.
Emerging players
- Pets for Vets: Smaller nonprofit that places shelter dogs with veterans; focuses on companion/animal-assisted support rather than full mobility service-dog task training.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Paws for Purple Hearts social profiles
Digital presencePaws for Purple Hearts financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Paws for Purple Hearts leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Paws for Purple Hearts funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Paws for Purple Hearts 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 Paws for Purple Hearts
What does Paws for Purple Hearts do?
Paws for Purple Hearts trains and places service dogs with U.S. military Veterans and active-duty Service Members who have physical disabilities, PTSD, or traumatic brain injuries. The organization also delivers Canine-Assisted Warrior Therapy (CAWT) sessions and places facility dogs in VA and military treatment facilities. All services are provided free of charge to Warriors through six facilities across the United States.
Is Paws for Purple Hearts a public or private company?
Paws for Purple Hearts is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Paws for Purple Hearts founded?
Paws for Purple Hearts was founded in 2006. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Paws for Purple Hearts based?
Paws for Purple Hearts is headquartered in Canyonville, United States, in the North America region.
How does Paws for Purple Hearts make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Donations are the primary driver. The others are corporate Partnerships, amazon Wishlist Donations, grant Funding and travelingToGive Partnership.
Who are Paws for Purple Hearts's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Warrior Canine Connection, K9s For Warriors, NEADS World Class Service Dogs, America's VetDogs, Canine Companions for Independence and ECAD (Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities). Guide Dogs for the Blind is listed as a broad incumbent. Others are Bergin University of Canine Studies and Disability Rights Advocates (veteran-focused legal aid). Pets for Vets is listed as an emerging player.
Does Paws for Purple Hearts have an API?
No public API is recorded for Paws for Purple Hearts.
What industry is Paws for Purple Hearts in?
Paws for Purple Hearts's product category is Service Animal Training. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAIAD, Veterinary Charity Clinics & Medical Aid, with a secondary code of BPAIAHAL, Veterans Affairs & Military Family Services. Its NAICS code is 54194 and its SIC code is 8300.