ANimal assistance
Animal focused assistance provide a powerful, service and emotional support that helps veterans process trauma, reduce symptoms of PTSD, and successfully transition to civilian life.
CANINE PROGRAMS
Service Dog
A service dog is specially trained to help veterans or first-responders who have disabilities other than visual impairment and perform tasks that mitigate disabilities the handler experiences, performing these tasks while in public, the workplace or at home.
Guide Dog
A guide dog is trained to find and follow a clear path, maneuver around obstacles, and stop at curbs. A veteran with a guide dog gains enhanced mobility and independence.
Forever in my Heart Foundation - Middletown, CT

VETS VALOR PROGRAM
Vets Valor program provides Service Dogs for Veterans with service-connected psychiatric and/or physical disabilities. Our service dogs are specifically trained for veterans to assist with a variety of needs.
· Mobility assistance
Service dogs can be trained to assist with mobility, such as helping with balance or retrieving items.
· PTSD Sympthons
Service dogs help combat the symptoms of PTSD, such as anxiety and panic attacks.
· Sense of security
Service dogs can help veterans feel more comfortable in social situations and provide a sense of security.
Project- HEAL:
Service Dogs for Veterans
Service Dogs for VetsECAD's Project HEAL® honors and empowers Veterans with combat-related physical and/or psychiatric disabilities including amputees, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and/or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), by providing specifically educated Service Dogs for veterans to increase independence and make a positive difference in every aspect of their lives.
The specially trained Service Dogs for vets learn numerous specialty commands to aid Veterans including reminding them to take medications, sensing and warding off hyper-viligance, depression and anger, and offering non-judgemental companionship and unconditional love. Additional these specially educated dogs provide stability, mobility and retrieval assistance
operation paws
on the ground
Operation Paws on the Ground is dedicated to helping both veterans and canines save each other through a union like no other. We accomplish this through :
Give Veterans Jobs
Our goal is to hire and train veterans to become dog trainers. This will not only give them a meaningful purpose but also extra income.
Rescue & Train Dogs
We rescue appropriate dogs from high kill areas of the country and train them to be support and service dogs for veterans in need.
Match Veterans & Dogs
Matching a veteran with a rescued dog that has been trained to help support their needs. A companion like no other.
The Train a Dog Save a Warrior (TADSAW)
The Train a Dog Save a Warrior (TADSAW) program serves the veteran, the family and the community, by providing the warrior with a K-9 rescue ‘Battle Buddy’ and the training and tools needed to become an accredited TADSAW Warrior/Service Dog Team.
TADSAW additionally provides for the training of a Medical Alert Service Dog for any veteran’s immediate family, the spouse or children, surviving with compassion fatigue, secondary PTSD, or any other mental health issue diagnosed while the veteran was deployed or on active duty.
The program lasts from 15-25 weeks to train the veteran and dog team.
Patriot PAWS Service Dogs
Patriot PAWS Service Dogs is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to providing highly trained service dogs to disabled American Veterans. Each dog trained at Patriot PAWS is customized to the individual needs of the Veteran with the goal of increased independence. Our dogs are trained to assist Veterans with both visible and invisible disabilities, and can help with many tasks that would otherwise be difficult or impossible. It takes about 2 1/2 years to train one service dog, but we provide these dogs at no cost to the Veteran.
Dog Star Rescue
Dog Star Rescue is proud to have a special adoption program just for honorably discharged U.S. armed forces veterans. Learn about how what to expect if you qualify and watch the videos on this page to see the impact this program has had on other fellow veterans.
Our Vision
To match qualified veteran service men and women with deserving homeless abandoned dogs, and to provide each with a rewarding life experience. The matchmaking is completed by pairing veterans with a specifically selected and evaluated rescue dog, based on the veteran’s personality and lifestyle to make the perfect companion match.
boots & paws
beacon, ny
Boots & Paws provides free companion puppies. Dog ownership provides therapeutic benefits, including reducing stress & anxiety, easing depression & loneliness, and encouraging regular exercise.
We also offer contracted facility dog visitation events, bringing comfort, morale boosts, and stress reduction to businesses, schools, and communities.
Companion Puppies
Companion dogs are more than just pets — they offer the guardian & their family connection as well as a commitment to routines, adding a sense of purpose & accomplishment, and facilitating social interactions.
team foster
conshohocken, pa
Team Foster is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that raises funds to provide accredited service dogs to injured and disabled veterans at no cost.
Based in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, the charity was founded in 2014 by Nick Liermann in honor of Captain Erick Foster, who was killed in action
Paws of War
 Nesconset, NY
Our mission is to alleviate the suffering of veterans, first responders and their families, particularly those battling invisible wounds like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), by providing them with loyal service dogs that become not just companions but also catalysts for healing.
Simultaneously, we rescue and rehabilitate dogs and cats in dire straits, often plucking them from the brink of despair and giving them a new chance at life. Our reach extends into war-torn regions, reuniting military personnel with the animals they formed bonds with during service.
EQUINE PROGRAMS
factum equine
east hadaam, ct
Experience the healing power horses at Factum Equine with our wellness programs for Active Duty, Veterans, and Military Families.
"No hour of life is wasted that is spent with a horse"
A 501c3 offering nature-based wellness programs with horses at a species centric boarding facility.
Factum Equine operates out of Hidden Hill Farm in East Haddam CT. The 30-acre space, which we affectionately call our "Place of Peace" is secluded, quiet, and a horses dream home. .
high hopes
old lyme, ct
High Hopes’ programs for Veterans focus on interactions between the horse and the individual allowing for risk-taking activities that build upon improving personal decision-making. The welcoming, outdoor environment of our 120-acre facility provides a healing and stress-relieving venue.
For many individuals who have served in our military, the ability to remain relaxed in the present moment and make important connections with other people is more difficult than most of the general public. Often, this is a by-product of PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder.
Most Veterans programs are small group, unmounted, 6-8 weeks in length, and are offered on a rotating basis throughout the year. We serve a diverse population of Veterans and our goal is to provide services that meet their varying, individual needs.
shepard meadows
bristol, ct
Our Veterans Programs are provided at no cost to Veterans and their families, for up to 24 weeks (8 spring, 4 summer, 8 fall, 4 winter) based on available funding. We provide both mounted and unmounted horsemanship programs for physical, emotional, social, recreational and educational gains.
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We also offer an optional blacksmithing combined program - double the fun and come work in the blacksmith shop with friends, then stay on for horsemanship and/or volunteering around the farm. We need your help!
Veteran Equine Therapeudic Services (V.E.T.S.)
southeastern, ct
V.E.T.S. provides a serene place for military veterans to go that provides therapeutic healing through equine-related activities by highly skilled instructors, staff and trained volunteers.
V.E.T.S. exists with the goal to provide our services at no charge to our clients. Some of our volunteers and staff are veterans themselves, and understand the challenges veterans face reintegrating into domestic life after experiencing the psychological trauma and physical wounds of war or life after service.
Acts of Hesed - Equine Assisted Therapy
southhampton, ma
The programs Equine Assisted Therapy (EAP) involves ground-based activities with horses that require individuals or groups to apply certain skills. Participants learn about themselves and others by participating in these activities with the horses, and then process (or discuss) the feelings, behaviors, and patterns that arise.
The Equus Effect
sharon, ct
Our Mission
To provide veterans and first responders with essential tools to rebuild their capacity for healthy, authentic relationships through purposeful engagement with horses.
Our Work
Our approach to Experiential Learning and Coaching includes engagement with horses that focuses on the body’s natural response to stress and trauma. We believe, as do experts in the field of neurobiology and trauma, that our reactions to traumatic events and chronic stress remain in the nervous system until they are metabolized and discharged.
healing hoofbeats
bethlehem, ct
Operation Warrior Horse is designed to help Veterans begin to heal from the invisible wounds incurred in service through the healing effects of the horse and human connection.
This experiential therapy groups meets on the serene acres of Healing Hoofbeats of CT in Bethlehem. It is facilitated by a Licensed Therapist and an Equine Professional who is also a Combat Veteran. In partnership with our four-legged healers, this therapy team is the perfect storm of mental health expertise and a working knowledge of military service
spirithorse
theraputic riding center
canton, ct
SpiritHorse Therapeutic Riding Center provides weekly therapeutic riding lessons for people of all ages with disabilities. All lessons are private, and are taught by certified SpiritHorse International Therapeutic Riding Instructors who dedicate their time with the organization. We have a support staff of Instructors, Horse Leaders, Side-walkers, Administrative and Barn Help, many who also volunteer their time to help support our mission.
Ebony Horsewomen (EHI)
hartford, ct
Changing Lives Through Horses
Ebony Horsewomen (EHI) is a one-of-a-kind equestrian and therapeutic center based in Hartford, Connecticut. Founded in 1984, we’ve transformed lives for over four decades through culturally competent equine-assisted psychotherapy, therapeutic riding, and youth development programs. Our mission is rooted in healing, empowerment, and creating opportunities for youth, families, adults, and military veterans in our community, using the powerful bond between humans and horses.
soul friends
wallingford, ct
Mission
Our mission is to provide innovative clinical and educational programs that promote the healing benefits of the human-animal bond and nature for children, families, young adults, veterans and first responders.
Vision
We aspire to be a proactive leader in the human-animal bond field and ecotherapy focusing on our humane approach to animal welfare and well-being for animals participating in therapy by choice and consent; and how honoring and connecting to nature provides opportunities for healing.
dare to dream ranch
foster, ri
Equine facilitated coaching utilizes the horse's responsive nature as a therapy tool. They are naturally curious, have individual personalities, and mirror human behavior The structure of EFC provides a unique atmosphere for the client to work through personal challenges. EFC provides clients within-the-moment experiences to learn how to manage current situations and future challenges with a focus on personal strengths and resources.
ray of light farm
east hadaam. ct
Ray of Light Farm Inc is a nonprofit animal rescue sanctuary and animal-assisted therapy center located in East Haddam, Connecticut. The farm’s mission is centered around helping people “make a positive connection with life through animals,” while also rescuing and caring for abused, neglected, abandoned, or special-needs animals.
The farm has become well known throughout Connecticut for creating a peaceful, welcoming environment where people of all ages can interact with horses, donkeys, goats, sheep, guinea pigs, miniature cattle, rabbits, birds, and many other animals.