Building Bridges

By connecting our nation’s military Veterans with rescued animals, Pets for Vets helps create second chances and new beginnings. With over 600 successful matches and counting, we are changing lives one lick at a time.

Train For Good

Making the perfect, lifelong match begins with our dedicated volunteer trainers who help select and prepare animal companions for their new lives. If you are a professional dog trainer who wants to make a difference for Veterans and pets, we would love to have you on our team!

Make A Positive Change

Turn your dollars into real change with a tax-deductible donation to Pets for Vets. Your contribution directly impacts Veterans and their animal companions by providing everything they need to start their life together on the right paw.

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Healing Vets, Rescuing Pets

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Helping Veterans and Pets Create New Beginnings Together

A Bridge to a Better Life

Many brave troops return home with scars – both seen and unseen – that make it difficult to transition back to civilian life. At the same time, millions of wonderful companion animals wait in shelters for a forever home. Pets for Vets is the bridge that brings them together.

When a Veteran is matched with the right pet, both lives change for the better. The Veteran saves the animal and welcomes him/her into a loving home. The pet provides the Veteran with unconditional love and support, easing stress, depression, loneliness and anxiety. Together, they share a Super Bond® that provides them both with a whole new “leash” on life.

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The Super Bond®: An Unbreakable Connection

From the first moment a Veteran meets his or her skilled animal companion, there is an instant and unbreakable connection. The two are so in tune that the pet often instinctively knows how to help his/her Veteran – even without specific training.

This is thanks to the Pets for Vets innovative program called the Super Bond®.

Using a tested, step-by-step approach, Pets for Vets trainers create the perfect match based on the personality, temperament, needs, wants and expectations of both the animal and the Veteran. The result is a deep connection like no other.

The Super Bond®

"He’s more than just a friend. He’s my battle buddy. He’s my left hand. We’re connected by a leash, but it’s really our umbilical cord. He’s sometimes more tuned into me than I’m tuned into me. He knows more about me than I do sometimes. He lets me know what’s going on."
– Adam

Helping Veterans One Lick at a Time

Because of their Super Bond®, Veterans and their animal companions improve each other’s lives in countless, remarkable ways.

Strengthen Social Connections
Increase Mental Well-Being
Enhance Emotional Health
Encourage Physical Fitness
Ease Loneliness
Improve Relationships
Overcome Trauma
Boost Confidence
Raise Self-Esteem
Gain a New Perspective

The Benefits

"You would think that a dog is just a dog. That may be true for some, but not me.
I used to sit at home, alone, and just let life pass me by, but now I have a reason to get up. Even if it’s feeding Samson, or taking him for walks, he has motivated me to live again."
-Luke

How The Program Works

Pets for Vets is tailored to the needs, wants and hopes of each of our Veterans. We take the time to listen and find the animal that will bring the most support and comfort. While the majority of our skilled animal companions are dogs, we’ve also placed cats and even rabbits! We invite any U.S. Veteran who could benefit from having a skilled companion animal to apply.