Hero Dogs places service dogs with veterans and first-responders in the greater Washington, DC area. We also place facility dogs with qualified clinicians and skilled home companion dogs with veteran and first-responder families.
Service Dogs
A service dog helps a person with a disability achieve independence. The dog reduces that person’s reliance on other people by doing tasks that the person cannot do without assistance. Hero Dogs trains dogs to assist veterans and first-responders with physical disabilities, mobility limitations, hearing loss, and psychiatric disabilities. To learn more and find out if you are eligible to apply for a service dog, click here.
Facility Dogs
Hero Dogs places facility dogs with first responders and medical professionals. The dog works full-time at the facility with staff to achieve specific treatment or program goals through animal-assisted therapy. To learn more or apply for a facility dog, click here.
Therapy Dogs
Therapy dogs are dogs that go with their owners to volunteer in settings such as First Responder/Veteran related facilities, hospitals, or assisted-living or retirement homes. They provide affection and comfort. To learn more about our therapy dog program or apply for a visit, click here.
Skilled Home Companion Dogs
Skilled home companion (SHC) dogs are well-trained pet dogs for people with a wide range of physical or psychological challenges. SHC dogs have had extensive socialization and training and can utilize their special skills to provide support within the home only. Hero Dogs provides SHC dogs to veterans or first-responders, or to family members of these heroes. To learn more or apply for a SHC dog, click here.