Patriot Paws Service Dogs
Our Programs
At Patriot PAWS, we’re all about creating special connections. That’s why we team up with folks from all walks of life, from Inmates in the Texas prison system to College Students at the University of Texas A&M. Together, we work hard to train Service Dogs of the highest quality for Veterans with disabilities. It’s a pretty paws-itive experience all around!Â
Service Dogs
At Patriot PAWS, we’re excited to start our furry friends on their journey to become Service Dogs at just 8-10 weeks old. They’ll get to explore lots of new places and meet all sorts of different people and things along the way. Our Service Dogs-in-training learn over 65 different commands to help with mobile disabilities or post-traumatic stress. It takes us about 18-24 months and a whole lot of love and care to get them ready, and it’s not cheap- each Dog costs Patriot PAWS upwards of $35,000 during their training. But it’s all worth it when we get to see them change a Veteran’s life for the better, and best of all, each Service Dog is provided free of charge.
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Prison Training Program
Patriot PAWS expanded our Service Dog training efforts into Texas State Prisons beginning in 2008. Our partnership with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) is mutually beneficial as the Inmate Trainers decrease the cost to train each Service Dog by approximately $20,000, while Patriot PAWS provides the inmates with a valuable skill they can utilize upon release. Â
Approximately 29% of Inmates pursue an occupation within an animal-related field once being paroled. In addition, inmates within the Prison Training Program have a drastically lower recidivism rate compared to the Texas State Average. Patriot PAWS Prison Training Program has proven to be immensely successful and now serves as a model for all other future Service Dog – Prison Training Programs.
DFW Puppy Raisers
Since 2012, Volunteers have come from around the Dallas-Fort Worth area to support Patriot PAWS by committing their time, hearts, and homes to the training of our Service Dogs. Each Puppy Raiser embarks on a 12-week course to learn the ins and outs of training a Patriot PAWS Service Dog, including teaching new cues and taking their pup out in public. This is an invaluable part of the training program as it provides socialization and ensures our Service Dogs have adequate house manners prior to placement with their future Veteran.  In efforts to raise awareness of our mission and reach more Veterans in need, a few Puppy Raisers will also perform Service Dog Demonstrations throughout the DFW Metroplex.Â
Aggieland
Our Aggieland program is a crucial part of the training process for our Service Dogs in training, but Patriot PAWS of Aggieland is also a very active student organization on the Texas A&M campus. The organization gives students the chance to become more involved through monthly meetings, fundraisers, social events, and community service opportunities. With almost 200 members we are able to socialize and train more dogs to keep up with the growing demand for Service Dogs.
PAWS Cares
Patriot PAWS Cares, a program in conjunction with the Texas Department of Emergency Management (TDEM), was established in 2021. In the aftermath of tragic events – whether it be a natural or manmade disaster – Patriot PAWS Cares Team may be called upon to deploy within 24 hours of receiving a call from TDEM. We have, firsthand, seen the healing that four paws and a wet nose are capable of. In the midst of chaos, we aim to provide a sense of calm for both the First Responders and Victims, even if it is only for a moment. Â
Since the inception of Patriot PAWS Cares, the program has visited multiple Police Stations within the DFW Metroplex to increase morale and lift the spirits of officers who have responded to traumatic calls.Â
