What This Able Veteran does

This Able Veteran is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2011 and headquartered on a 22-acre campus at 1714 South Wolf Creek Road in Carbondale, Illinois, that provides custom-trained PTSD service dogs and a 3-week Trauma Resiliency Program at no cost to U.S. military veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. The core methodology—developed by founder and Training Director Behesha Doan—begins training dogs at 8 weeks old using positive reinforcement and marker-based systems, custom-matches each dog to an individual veteran's lifestyle, physical, and psychological profile, and equips dogs to perform anxiety alerts (interrupting early physiological signs of panic within 2-3 seconds) and nightmare interruption. Outcome validation is supported by a study published in the American Journal of Orthopsychiatry measuring pre/post and 1-/6-month PCL scores, depression, anxiety, anger, and quality-of-life improvements among graduates. Since founding, the organization has graduated 80+ veteran-dog pairs, with full training cycles of 8-18 months and a $30,000+ cost per dog covered entirely by donations.

Revenue mechanics are donation-driven with no fees charged to veteran beneficiaries: streams include individual giving (campaigns with $25-$1,000+ tiers and monthly recurring programs), 300+ corporate sponsorships across banks, restaurants, healthcare and retail, passive programs (AmazonSmile 0.5% of purchases, Kroger Community Rewards), and event-based fundraising (Massac Quilters Guild quilt raffle generating $10,000+ over 7+ years). A second, smaller revenue stream is the PTSD Service Dog Trainer Academy, where professional trainers pay $3,949 for the Essentials Course (October 10-24, 2026) or $3,660 for the Master Class (October 8-17, 2026) at the Carbondale campus, commercializing the proprietary training IP. Go-to-market is community-led: veterans apply via online portal or PDF, are screened (DD214 documentation and therapist verification required), wait 1-1.5 years for placement, and are supported during the program by graduate-veteran mentors in a community/VA/word-of-mouth referral ecosystem.

Geographically, the organization exclusively serves U.S. military veterans (international and active-duty service members are explicitly excluded), limiting the addressable market but lowering complexity. Operations are lean—1-10 paid staff including Executive Director Malia Nix (LSW), Founder Behesha Doan, Senior Trainer Andrea Hansen, two trainers (Michelle Rositch, Moriah Payne), an admin assistant (Christa Mahnken), and a 5-member Board of Directors—and supported by an external network of home-based professional trainers who socialize dogs during the 18-month training period. The combination of a high-touch clinical service, proprietary methodology, published efficacy research, and a commercial academy extension defines the operating model.

Name

This Able Veteran

Legal name

This Able Veteran

Website

https://thisableveteran.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

This Able Veteran is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2011 in Carbondale, Illinois, that provides custom-trained PTSD service dogs and a 3-week Trauma Resiliency Program at no cost to U.S. military veterans.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

PTSD Service Dog Training for Veterans

NAICS

Veterinary Services (54194), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Behavioral Medicine & Training-Integrated Veterinary Services (HLAMAAAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

K9 Handler & Working Dog Security Training (BPAKAOAK)

Keywords

• PTSD service dogs
• Veteran mental health
• Trauma resiliency training
• Service dog academy
• Veteran support services

Headquarters

HQ city

Carbondale

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute to support service dog training and placement. The organization runs campaigns with specific giving levels ($25-$1,000+) and offers monthly giving programs.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Over 300+ corporate sponsors including banks, restaurants, healthcare organizations, military-related groups, and retail companies provide ongoing financial support and in-kind donations.
3. Service Dog Trainer Academy Tuition: Professional dog trainers pay tuition to attend the PTSD Service Dog Trainer Academy. Essentials Course tuition is $3,949 and Master Class is $3,660, with $500 deposits required.
4. Retail Partner Programs: AmazonSmile donates 0.5% of purchases; Kroger Community Rewards program directs donations; online store sells merchandise.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

This Able Veteran is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that custom-trains PTSD service dogs for U.S. military veterans diagnosed with PTSD, MST, or TBI, and pairs each dog with the veteran through a 3-week Trauma Resiliency Program conducted at its Carbondale, Illinois campus. In parallel, the organization runs a paid PTSD Service Dog Trainer Academy (Essentials Course and Master Class) for professional dog trainers seeking certification in this specialized discipline. Services for veterans are provided at no cost, funded through donations, sponsorships, and grants.

Product overview

This Able Veteran offers a portfolio of services centered on PTSD service dogs for veterans. The core offerings include: (1) PTSD Service Dogs - custom-selected and trained dogs paired with individual veterans; (2) the Trauma Resiliency Program - a 3-week intensive training combining service dog partnership with cognitive and emotional skills training; and (3) the PTSD Service Dog Trainer Academy - a two-tier educational program (Essentials Course and Master Class) that trains professional dog trainers to replicate the organization's methodology. All services are provided at no cost to qualifying U.S. military veterans.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• PTSD Service Dogs Custom-trained service dogs provided at no cost to U.S. military veterans diagnosed with PTSD, MST, or TBI. Each dog is trained in proprietary task work including anxiety alerts, nightmare interruption, and mobility/retrieval, then paired with the veteran during the on-campus 3-week Trauma Resiliency Program.
• Trauma Resiliency Program A 3-week on-campus clinical resiliency curriculum at the Carbondale, Illinois campus, designed to accompany the service dog pairing and equip veterans with skills to manage trauma symptoms alongside their new service dog. Provided at no cost to veteran recipients.
• PTSD Service Dog Trainer Academy A paid professional training program offered in two tiers (Essentials Course and Master Class) for professional dog trainers seeking certification in PTSD service dog training. Delivered online; tuition-funded and represents the organization's earned revenue stream.

Quantifiable outcome

• PCL (PTSD Checklist) scores dropped dramatically from high levels to nearly normal ranges within three weeks of program
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 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

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Mid America Pet Food CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2023Featured veteran Jon Steele and his service dog Lobo in a video shoot in Dallas for marketing featuring veterans and their service dogs.
• Massac Quilters GuildcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Partnership began in 2017 with an 8-10 member quilting guild that creates and raffles quilts annually to benefit the organization. Has raised over $10,000 over 7+ years. Members divvy up quilt blocks and assemble by January for annual AQS Paducah Quilt Show raffle.
• Rotary District 6510minorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as supporting partner in organization's community network of sponsors and supporters.
• Southern Illinois Healthcare (SIH)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as supporting partner providing healthcare resources and community support.
• Clinical Outcomes GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with organization to perform research study on PTSD service dogs used in trauma resiliency program. Study published in American Journal of Orthopsychiatry.
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Department of PsychologycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered to conduct long-term efficacy study measuring PTSD symptoms before training, during training, one and six months post-graduation. Study performed by Megan L. Kloep and Sarah J. Kertz.
• AQS Paducah Quilt ShowminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual quilt show venue that allows Massac Quilters Guild to sell raffle tickets benefiting the organization.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• ECAD (Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities): Nonprofit that trains service dogs for clients with physical disabilities and veterans with PTSD. Comparable in service dog training methodology and nonprofit structure, though with broader client population beyond veterans.
• K9s For Warriors: The largest nonprofit in the U.S. providing service dogs to military veterans suffering from PTSD, TBI, and MST. Directly comparable in mission, customer segment, and service dog training model, with substantially larger scale and operational capacity.
• Paws for Purple Hearts: Nonprofit providing service dogs to veterans and active-duty service members with PTSD and TBI, with a strong focus on integrating dogs into the VA's clinical care process. Highly comparable in integrating canine partners with formal mental health treatment.
• Semper K9: Virginia-based nonprofit that provides service dogs to wounded warriors and veterans suffering from PTSD. Directly comparable in mission, customer base, and free service delivery, with a focus on rescued shelter dogs.
• Patriot Paws Service Dogs: Nonprofit that trains and provides service dogs to disabled American veterans and others with physical disabilities, including PTSD-related tasks. Comparable in veteran-centric service dog model, though with a smaller geographic footprint in Texas.
• America's VetDogs: Affiliated with Guide Dogs for the Blind, this nonprofit provides service dogs to veterans with disabilities including PTSD. Comparable in mission, target population, and free-of-charge service model, with broader disability focus.
• Service Dogs for America: Nonprofit accredited by Assistance Dogs International that trains and places service dogs with veterans and others with disabilities. Comparable in mission and accredited service dog program model.

Emerging players

• Guardian Angels Medical Service Dog: Nonprofit providing medical service dogs trained to assist individuals with a wide range of disabilities including PTSD. Comparable in service dog training and pairing methodology, with growing program capacity.

Broad incumbents

• Canine Companions for Independence: Largest nonprofit provider of service dogs in the U.S., serving individuals with disabilities across multiple categories. Comparable as a service dog training nonprofit, but broader mission and significantly larger scale.

Others

• Extreme K-9: For-profit dog training business owned by This Able Veteran's founder Behesha Doan. Adjacent ecosystem participant providing professional and working dog training services, and source of related-party exposure for the nonprofit.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/thisableveteran
• Facebookfacebook.com/thisableveteran
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/thisableveteran

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about This Able Veteran