What Puppy Jake Foundation does

Puppy Jake Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2014 and headquartered in Urbandale, Iowa, that provides professionally trained service dogs to military veterans at no cost. The organization operates a structured, multi-phase training program — four developmental phases plus a finishing phase, designed in 2022 — that combines volunteer foster families (five-month commitment periods), a prison-based training partnership at Newton Correctional Facility, and positive reinforcement methodologies. Service dogs are matched to each veteran's specific physical and mental health needs, addressing PTSD, physical disabilities, and readjustment challenges to civilian life. The organization is ADI-accredited (reaccredited in 2025) and operates a primary training facility in Urbandale, with events and outreach concentrated in the Des Moines and broader Iowa/Midwest region.

The foundation's business model is donor-dependent and entirely non-commercial: all service dogs are provided free of charge to qualifying veterans. Revenue is generated through individual donations, corporate and foundation grants (e.g., $50,000 from Rotary Club of Des Moines, $15,000 from Prairie Meadows), and event-based fundraising such as an annual Gala that raised over $150,000 in 2026 and the Puppy Jake Classic golf tournament. Operating capacity in 2025 included 41 dogs in training, 31 active veteran/dog teams supported, 70+ veterans served, 174,720 volunteer hours contributed, and participation in 90 community events. The 2025 portfolio expansion included the acquisition of Canine Craze and the launch of three new programs — Dog Perfect, Purposeful Partners, and the Endorsement Program — broadening the addressable surface beyond the core service dog placement offering.

Name

Puppy Jake Foundation

Legal name

Puppy Jake Foundation

Website

https://puppyjakefoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Puppy Jake Foundation is an Iowa-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that trains and places service dogs with U.S. military veterans at no cost, using a four-phase training program supported by volunteer foster families and a prison-based program, and reaching 70+ veterans in 2025.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Assistance Dog Training and Placement Services

NAICS

Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services (81291)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Foster & Volunteer Network Programs (BPAGAIAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Veterinary Charity Clinics & Medical Aid (BPAGAIAD)

Keywords

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

Headquarters

HQ city

Urbandale

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, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: Individual donations from supporters, with a 2023 fundraising total exceeding $800,000. The 2026 Gala raised over $150,000.
2. Grants: Corporate and foundation grants including Rotary Club of Des Moines ($50,000), Prairie Meadows ($15,000), and other institutional funding.
3. Event Fundraising: Annual galas, golf tournaments (5th Annual Puppy Jake Classic raised nearly $50,000), bourbon raffles, and silent auctions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Puppy Jake Foundation provides professionally trained service dogs to military veterans at no cost through a four-phase training program and a Newton Correctional Facility prison-based component. The foundation recruits and trains volunteer foster families who raise dogs for five-month periods, then matches graduates with veterans needing physical assistance or mental health support. Service is funded entirely by donations, grants, and fundraising events.

Product overview

Puppy Jake Foundation operates a multi-phase service dog training program for military veterans, consisting of four developmental phases plus a final finishing phase. The core offering is professionally trained service dogs provided at no cost to veterans. The organization expanded its portfolio in 2025 through the Dog Perfect program (acquired via Canine Craze) and launched the Endorsement Program and Purposeful Partners to support veterans in additional ways. Volunteer education is supported through Training Fundamentals 101 and 201 courses, while Owner Trained Service Dogs provides guidance for self-trained service dog veterans.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Dog Perfect: Program launched in 2025 supporting veterans and their dogs in additional ways.
• Purposeful Partners
• Endorsement Program

Products and services

• Service Dogs for Veterans Professionally trained service dogs paired with military veterans experiencing physical or mental health difficulties, provided at no cost to the veteran. Dogs are trained to each veteran's unique needs including physical assistance and mental health support.
• Dog Perfect Program launched in 2025 through the acquisition of Canine Craze, providing expanded training opportunities for pet dogs alongside the service dog program.
• Owner Trained Service Dogs Program supporting veterans who choose to train their own service dogs, providing guidance and resources for owner-trained service dog preparation.
• Training Fundamentals 101 Three-week introductory volunteer education series teaching core principles of Puppy Jake's service dog program, covering mission overview, ADI standards, service dog laws, veteran perspectives, and service dog etiquette.
• Training Fundamentals 201 Advanced three-week volunteer training course focusing on skills and knowledge needed to confidently handle a service dog in training, including how dogs learn, dog handling safety, and public access training.
• Endorsement Program Program launched in 2025 supporting veterans who already have a service dog but need affiliation with an ADI-accredited organization, providing training support and VA veterinary insurance benefits eligibility.
• Purposeful Partners Program launched in 2025 providing additional pathways to support veterans and their dogs beyond the core service dog program.

Quantifiable outcome

• 60+ service dogs placed with veterans over 12 years
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• MidAmerican EnergycoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 May 2026MidAmerican Energy has been a partner for more than a decade, receiving the 2026 Battle Buddy Sponsor Award. Beyond financial sponsorship, employees have volunteered at events, fostered future service dogs, completed facility improvement projects, and supported the foundation through Iowa State Fair presence.
• Allen LazardsupportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 November 2025NFL player Allen Lazard chose Puppy Jake Foundation as his My Cause My Cleats charity for 2025, raising awareness through his platform.
• Canine CrazecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2025Puppy Jake Foundation acquired Canine Craze in October 2025, creating additional opportunities to train both dogs and handlers, expanding capacity for growth of the service dog program and expanding the program for pet dogs.
• Golden Rule Plumbing, Heating and CoolingsupportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025A partnership that gives back, with Golden Rule supporting the foundation's mission through their service and community involvement.
• The Taylor FoundationsupportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023The Taylor Foundation, associated with Slipknot's Corey Taylor, supports and raises awareness about Puppy Jake Foundation's mission to provide service dogs to veterans.
• Hy-VeecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2013Hy-Vee became one of the earliest corporate supporters through its Homefront initiative launched in 2013, providing critical support during the organization's formative years. Has supported through financial contributions, training opportunities within stores, and raising awareness among employees and customers. Received 2026 Corporate Force Multiplier Award.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• NEADS World Class Service Dogs: Massachusetts-based ADI-accredited nonprofit training service dogs for veterans and people with disabilities. Comparable mission and prison-based training programs, serving the Northeast region.
• 4 Paws for Ability: Nonprofit placing service dogs with veterans, children with disabilities, and others. Comparable service dog training and placement model with similar volunteer foster network structure.
• Hero Dogs: Maryland-based nonprofit raising and training service dogs for veterans. Directly comparable in veteran-focused mission, foster-based volunteer model, and ADI accreditation standards.
• K9s For Warriors: The largest U.S. nonprofit providing service dogs to military veterans with PTSD/TBI. Directly comparable in mission, veteran-only focus, and ADI accreditation, and a benchmark for Puppy Jake's scaling potential.
• America's VetDogs: Affiliated with Guide Dog Foundation, America's VetDogs provides service dogs to veterans with disabilities including PTSD. Directly comparable in mission, accreditation, and free-of-charge placement model.
• Canine Assistants: Georgia-based ADI-accredited nonprofit training and placing service dogs with veterans and people with disabilities. Comparable free-of-charge placement model and accredited training standards.

Others

• Wounded Warrior Project: Large veteran-services nonprofit addressing PTSD and readjustment through a broader portfolio of programs (not service-dog specific). Comparable beneficiary base and donor ecosystem, but a much broader mission.

Regional players

• Patriot Paws Service Dogs: Texas-based nonprofit training and placing service dogs with disabled American veterans at no cost. Directly comparable in veteran-focused mission and ADI-accredited free placement model, but a regional player serving a different geography.
• Clear Path for Veterans: Iowa/Midwest veteran-services nonprofit offering complementary wellness programs. Comparable beneficiary geography and veteran-support mission, but does not focus on service dog placement.

Broad incumbents

• Canine Companions for Independence: One of the largest U.S. service dog nonprofits, placing dogs with veterans and people with disabilities. A broader incumbent operating at significantly larger scale with multi-state training centers.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/puppyjakefdn
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@PuppyJakeFoundation
• Facebookfacebook.com/PuppyJakeFoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/puppy-jake-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/puppyjakefoundation/?hl=en

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Puppy Jake Foundation