WORKING DOGS FOR VETS

What WORKING DOGS FOR VETS does

Working Dogs For Vets is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2002 and headquartered in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee (Federal Tax ID 47-2426504). The organization's core function is providing trained service dogs and lifetime support at zero cost to disabled American veterans — with priority placement for those with combat-related disabilities including PTSD, TBI, and mobility impairments — while simultaneously rescuing dogs from overcrowded U.S. animal shelters (98% shelter rescue rate). The organization operates two primary programs: an In-House residential training program at the Lawrenceburg headquarters for severely disabled veterans, and the No Veteran Left Behind (NVLB) Program, including a Rural Outreach Initiative, that enables veterans nationwide to train their own service dogs. A National Training Network extends delivery across eight states (Tennessee, Ohio, Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, Colorado, Missouri) using volunteer trainers and public-space socialization.

The underlying operating model is built on the proprietary 'Both Ends of the Leash' training philosophy and a Universal Design Communication Model featuring written-first protocols designed for veterans with hidden disabilities such as TBI and learning disorders. The organization is 100% volunteer-led and claims to exceed PACT Act standards through rigorous Standard Operating Procedures, supported by accreditation from the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, the International Association of Certified Professional Dog Trainers, and AKC K9 Good Citizens testing standards.

Working Dogs For Vets generates no revenue from veteran recipients — services are provided at 0% cost. The revenue model relies entirely on donations across two streams: individual donations, which are directed 100% to program services (specifically supporting veteran/dog teams through NVLB), and corporate sponsorship, which funds operating costs. Fundraising channels include the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC #37322), a tiered corporate sponsorship ecosystem spanning Platinum through Community Allies levels with 30+ named partners (Petco Love, Kroger, Hankook Tire, Edward Jones, Foxwynd Foundation, Nashville Predators Foundation, etc.), online donations via GiveLively and Donorbox, and grassroots veteran community marketing. The organization has served more than 3,000 veteran/dog teams, holds a Charity Navigator four-star rating and GuideStar Platinum transparency status, and is both recommended and approved by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Name

WORKING DOGS FOR VETS

Legal name

Working Dogs For Vets

Website

https://workingdogsforvets.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Working Dogs For Vets is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2002 and headquartered in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, that provides free service dogs and lifetime training support to disabled American veterans — particularly those with combat-related PTSD and TBI — by rescuing dogs from U.S. shelters (98% rescue rate) and training them through a volunteer-led network spanning 8 states.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Veteran Disability Services & Service Dog Training

NAICS

Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services (812910), Veterinary Services (541940)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200), Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Veterinary Charity Clinics & Medical Aid (BPAGAIAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Behavioral Medicine & Training-Integrated Veterinary Services (HLAMAAAI), Animal Shelters & Rescue Operations (AFAEALAB)

Keywords

• Service dog training
• Veteran support services
• Shelter dog rescue
• Disability assistance
• Nonprofit rehabilitation

Headquarters

HQ city

Lawrenceburg

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: 100% of individual donations go directly to program direct services - supporting veteran/service dog teams through the No Veteran Left Behind Program.
2. Corporate Sponsorship: Corporate sponsors fund the organization's operating costs, allowing individual donations to be directed entirely to program services.
3. NVLB Program Donations: Donations to the No Veteran Left Behind Program go directly to support hero/dog teams, enabling disabled American heroes across the U.S. to train their service dogs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Working Dogs For Vets is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides trained service dogs and training at no cost to disabled American veterans, primarily those with combat-related disabilities (PTSD, TBI, mobility issues). The organization rescues dogs from U.S. animal shelters and trains them as service dogs through its In-House Program at the Lawrenceburg, TN headquarters and the nationwide No Veteran Left Behind (NVLB) Program, supported by a volunteer-led National Training Network spanning eight states.

Product overview

Working Dogs For Vets is a nonprofit organization offering a unified service dog training ecosystem. The organization operates two primary programs: the In-House Program at its Lawrenceburg, TN headquarters for more severely disabled veterans requiring intensive residential training, and the No Veteran Left Behind (NVLB) Program enabling veterans nationwide to train their own service dogs. Both programs are supported by a National Training Network with regional hubs across eight states. The organization provides these services at no cost to veterans, with corporate sponsors funding operating costs while individual donations go directly to program services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• No Veteran Left Behind (NVLB): Program developed to enable disabled American heroes across the U.S. to train their service dogs and promote the rescue of shelter dogs. Provides services at no cost to veterans.

Products and services

• Service Dog Training Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 98% of dogs used in Working Dogs For Vets programs are rescue/shelter dogs
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered platinum, gold champions, bronze supporters, core, community allies and silver advocates.

• American Gold Star MothersplatinumStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlatinum partner supporting Working Dogs For Vets mission to provide service dogs to disabled veterans. Gold Star Mothers organization supporting heroes and their service dogs.
• Petco LoveplatinumStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlatinum partner providing support for veteran/dog teams. Petco Love Foundation has provided press releases and ongoing partnership for 'Heroes at Both Ends of the Leash' initiative on Veterans Day.
• Foxwynd FoundationplatinumStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation partner supporting Working Dogs For Vets with press releases and funding for service dog programs.
• KrogerplatinumGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner supporting the organization's mission through donations and community support.
• Elite K9platinumTechnology or IntegrationK9 training and supply partner providing support for service dog training programs.
• Doggie Stylzgold championsGTM or Marketing PartnerSupport partner for Working Dogs For Vets programs and services.
• Hankook TireplatinumGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting transportation needs for service dog training operations.
• Petfinder Foundationgold championsStrategic or Co-development PartnerShelter rescue partner helping source dogs for the service dog training program.
• BlueCross BlueShield of Alabamagold championsStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealth insurance partner supporting veteran wellness programs.
• Banfield Foundationbronze supportersStrategic or Co-development PartnerVeterinary foundation supporting pet health initiatives for service dogs.
• Best Friends Network Partnersbronze supportersStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnimal welfare network partner for shelter rescue coordination.
• Pedigree Foundationbronze supportersStrategic or Co-development PartnerDog food and supplies foundation supporting service dog nutrition.
• Home Depotbronze supportersGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner providing facility and building supplies support.
• Veterans AdministrationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVA Service Departments from across the nation have given high recommendations to their clients. Working Dogs For Vets is both recommended and approved by the VA.
• Association of Professional Dog TrainerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccreditation partner for professional dog trainer certifications.
• International Association of Certified Professional Dog TrainerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccreditation partner for trainer certification standards.
• AKC K9 Good CitizenscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTesting and certification partner for service dog behavior standards.
• Vietnam Veterans of Americabronze supportersStrategic or Co-development PartnerVeteran service organization supporting fellow veterans.
• Maury Regional Healthcommunity alliesStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional healthcare partner supporting veteran health services.
• Petsmartcommunity alliesStrategic or Co-development PartnerPet retail partner for shelter and pet supplies support.
• Mutt Nation Foundationcommunity alliesStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnimal rescue foundation supporting shelter dog rehabilitation.
• Shelter Pet Data Alliancebronze supportersStrategic or Co-development PartnerData partner contributing shelter statistics and support.
• HCA Healthcaresilver advocatesStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner supporting veteran medical services.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• America's VetDogs: 501(c)(3) that trains and places service dogs free to disabled U.S. veterans, with programs spanning guide, hearing, mobility, and PTSD. Directly comparable nonprofit peer with similar veteran-segment focus and training methodology.
• Warrior Canine Connection: Service dog nonprofit for wounded warriors with a distinctive veteran-raises-puppy training model. Comparable mission of pairing veterans with service dogs, though uses a different training approach.
• Canine Companions for Independence: Large nonprofit providing service dogs to people with disabilities (veterans among them) free of charge. Comparable core offering (trained service dogs at no cost) though broader beneficiary base including children and adults with non-veteran disabilities.
• K9s For Warriors: Largest U.S. nonprofit providing service dogs to disabled military veterans, free of charge. Most direct comparable in mission, delivery model (shelter dog rescue + training), and target beneficiary (combat-disabled veterans with PTSD/TBI).
• Service Dogs Inc. Nonorganization that custom-trains service dogs for Texans with disabilities including veterans. Comparable mission and free-of-charge delivery model within overlapping geographic regions.
• Patriot Paws Service Dogs: Nonprofit that trains and provides service dogs free of charge to disabled American veterans, primarily focusing on mobility assistance and PTSD. Closely aligned service dog training-for-veterans mission and free-of-charge model.
• ECAD (Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities): Nonprofit training service dogs for veterans and people with disabilities. Directly comparable free-of-charge service dog training program with overlapping beneficiary segments.
• paws4people ( paws4people foundation ): Nonprofit training service dogs for veterans, children, and adults with disabilities, including PTSD-focused programs. Comparable service-dog training mission with veteran-emphasis track.
• Hero Dogs: Nonprofit breeding, raising, and training service dogs for veterans and first responders with disabilities. Directly comparable mission, free-to-recipient model, and shelter-to-service pipeline element.

Others

• Best Friends Animal Society: National animal welfare nonprofit partnered with WDFV through Best Friends Network Partners for shelter rescue coordination. Comparable in shelter rescue mission but addresses the supply side of the dog pipeline rather than service dog training.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/84DogsHelp
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCKOpbGp0V0QqX7HZqRDTKVw
• Facebookfacebook.com/WorkingDogsForVets
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/working-dogs-for-vets
• Instagraminstagram.com/working_dogs_for_vets
• TikToktiktok.com/@workingdogsforvets.org
• Pinterestpinterest.com/workingdogsforvets

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 WORKING DOGS FOR VETS