ABOUT US
Providing Service dogs and new beginnings
Partners For Patriots was formed in 2009 in Tennessee and relocated to Iowa in 2012. Our organization is dedicated to obtaining, training and providing service dogs to military veterans or their family members free of charge. The dogs are delivered and the veteran is provided with up to seven days of training, to help ensure the best possible results.
Partners For Patriots provides 15-24 dogs per year to deserving veterans and their families. The organization’s primary long-term goal is to expand the number of dogs provided to military members across the U.S., and we rely on the generous donations of supporters to fund the growth of our program. As of 2023 we have placed 178 dogs across the U.S.
Many of our dogs are taken from shelters and rescues, and others are provided by breeders who are as passionate about helping veterans as we are.
Partners for patriots service dogs are loyal companions & helpers
U.S. Army veteran Greg B. and Doss, his Partners for Patriots service dog, at a local V.A. facility
What does a service dog do?
A service dog is an invaluable asset to a disabled veteran. Besides giving companionship and loyalty, a well-trained service dog can help a veteran in many ways.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can be debilitating and can keep the veteran from functioning in society—it can make the veteran avoid crowded places, noisy places, and many other situations that are routine for people without PTSD. Service dogs react to the slightest hint of anxiety shown by their veterans, and intervene by nudging them or pawing them to interrupt their mounting anxiety. In other instances, the dog can even physically lead them away from a stress-inducing situation. Always with their veterans, service dogs help them to gain confidence and independence, until many veterans are able to carry on with their lives in most of the dimensions that they enjoyed previously.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) are common among combat veterans, and can cause serious balance issues. Many service dogs wear special harnesses that the veteran can hold to maintain their balance or break a fall, use as support while going up or down stairs, or use to assist themselves in getting into or out of a chair. In addition, the dogs are trained to retrieve any item dropped by the veteran, since bending over can often lead to a fall for a veteran with TBI. If the veteran does fall, the service dog is trained in a specific procedure to physically assist the veteran in getting back on his or her feet (which is why many service dogs in our program are larger breeds).
Veterans confined to a wheelchair can depend on their dog to assist in many daily tasks, from getting objects for them, helping to open and hold doors, support when transferring from wheelchair to furniture and back, helping to take off shoes, socks or jackets, and bringing the phone in an emergency situation. These dogs require a lot of training—depending on the condition of the disabled veteran, this can take from six months to 1.5 years.
All Partners for Patriots service dogs go through rigorous medical and temperament testing to assure they are sound in body and mind. They undergo training in many situations so they can accompany the veteran anywhere, from an important doctors appointment to just going out to eat with the family. Additionally, we rescue dogs from shelters and rescue groups whenever possible, so we are changing two lives for the better.
It is impossible to describe what these service dogs do for the veteran on a day to day basis. We are determined to provide the best trained dogs to assist our deserving service men and women, particularly since they have sacrificed so much for our country and our freedom.
Sherman and Stephen
Echo and Steve
the beginning of Partners for patriots:
A journey of Compassion
In a serendipitous moment during a routine trip to the store, a couple's lives changed forever when they discovered a frightened puppy abandoned on the roadside. Driven by their shared love for animals, they couldn't turn a blind eye to the puppy's plight and decided to take her under their wing. Thus began the heartwarming journey of River, a tiny beacon of hope in the midst of adversity.
River's early days were marked by struggle and hardship. Emaciated, anemic, and riddled with health issues, she bore the scars of a traumatic past. As the couple nursed her back to health, they witnessed firsthand the resilience and capacity for love that existed within her. Despite her own ordeal, River's spirit remained unbroken, her boundless affection serving as a source of comfort and inspiration.
Meanwhile, the husband grappled with his own battles—chronic health issues and severe depression cast a shadow over his life, leaving him emotionally adrift. However, amidst the darkness, River emerged as a guiding light. Her unwavering loyalty and constant companionship provided a glimmer of hope in his darkest moments, offering solace where words fell short.
River's remarkable impact on the couple's lives sparked a profound realization: the transformative power of canine companionship. Inspired by her unwavering devotion, the couple resolved to pay it forward, founding Partners For Patriots—a non-profit organization dedicated to providing service dogs to disabled veterans.
Established in Tennessee in 2009, Partners For Patriots quickly gained traction, driven by the couple's passion and River's enduring legacy. With funds inherited from the wife's mother, they embarked on a mission to honor River's memory and assist veterans in need. Their vision extended beyond state lines, and after an unexpected move to Iowa, they realized just how far they could go and future plans to establish another facility in New Mexico came about to allow them to reach everyone across the US.
River's journey—from a distressed puppy to a symbol of hope and healing—exemplified the profound bond between humans and dogs. Through Partners For Patriots, her legacy lives on, inspiring others to join their cause and make a difference in the lives of disabled veterans. As River's story continues to unfold, it serves as a testament to the transformative impact of compassion and the enduring power of love.
River and her best friend