In partnership with Heart of the Valley Animal Shelter, K9 Care Montana, Inc., and Bridger Animal Nutrition of Bozeman we introduce to you the Warriors With Heart Program (WWH).
 
Developed in 2015, the WWH program is designed to assist wounded veterans of all era’s and to provide service dogs at no cost. The program consists of incorporating a small percentage of shelter dogs provided by Heart of the Valley Animal Shelter of Bozeman, MT. These dogs are health tested, temperament tested, and placed as Psychiatric Service Dogs (in training). Psychiatric service dogs are trained to assist in mitigation of a veterans Post Traumatic Stress (PTS) by means of “blocking”. Blocking is defined as the task performed by your service dog which results in keeping people from impeding on your personal space. The dog providing a task is what distinguishes the difference in a service dog and others such as an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) or a Therapy Animal (which neither are recognized by ADA). The American Disability Act (ADA) is the Federal law in place to allow service dogs public access through out the US. Additional services provided include but are not limited to puppy obedience training, task training, beginning and intermediate obedience training, Good Citizen’s Testing and a Public Access Testing. All WWH service dog handlers are trained and educated according to the American Disability Act (ADA).

Regardless of breed, full or mix, training a service dog is a process which includes much of the following: maturity, training, and experience; some more maturity, more training, and more experience. This process can take place over a period of 1-3 year.

David Riggs, Founder of K9CM and Ben Donoghue, Canine Evaluator and Trainer at HOV have been working closely together in past years so we can provide this high-quality service dog program with the incorporation of shelter dogs. As a result, we have proven success with the Warriors with Heart Program. All nutritional and dietary needs are provided by Bridger Animal Nutrition of Bozeman to all WWH recipients. Veteran saves the dog and in turn the dog saves the Veteran, A win-win!!

​Please Note: We do not train medical alert service dogs.

For additional information contact Ben at HOV (406) 388-9399 or fill out and submit a WWH application to:

Heart of the Valley Animal Shelter
c/o Ben Donoghue
P.O. Box 11390
Bozeman, MT 59719
 
Requirements: Diagnosis letter of PTS or mobility disability -- Click here for application