PAWZ For Wounded Vets
The PAWZ for Wounded Veterans Program provides service and assistance dogs to the brave men and women that serve or have served our country in the United States Military.
CST trains service dogs to support disabled veterans who are seeking enhanced mobility, independence, and companionship. Whether your disability is obvious or invisible, CST can help you reclaim your independence. CST trains assistance dogs and PTSD service dogs for veterans and active-duty military. Many of the clients who have received a service dog feel they were given the motivation they needed to positively face the challenges of everyday life.
Veterans Served
25+
Dogs Placed with Veterans per Year
50
States Serviced by CST
100+
Active Veteran Service Dogs Across the United States
Who We Serve
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Veterans with physical disabilities or psychiatric disabilities
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Veterans seeking outside certification
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Military or Veteran Handlers seeking a facility dog
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Active-Duty Military with physical disabilities or psychiatric disabilities
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Reserve status Military with physical disabilities or psychiatric disabilities
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National Guard with physical disabilities or psychiatric disabilities
CST Lives Changes Forever
What they’re saying
I strongly recommend getting a service animal... honestly I can't imagine my life without one.
- Marine Corp Veteran Brian Chesmore
Canine Support Teams has serviced countless veterans. The service dogs they provide give veterans the freedom to return to normal life.
- Marine Corp Veteran Jeff Papows PhD
From Trauma to Hope
For years, Marine Corps veteran Brian Chesmore carried the invisible weight of trauma — PTSD, anxiety, nightmares, and the lasting impact of being a first responder during the USS Cole bombing.
After the loss of his first dog, Brian reached a breaking point. What followed was a journey many veterans know all too well — learning how to ask for help, searching for hope, and wondering if life could ever feel normal again.
Getting Started
To request the placement of a service dog, please complete the service dog application and provide a copy of the DD-214. The $100 application fee is waived for veterans and active duty military.
Once a potential match has been identified, the applicant is required to travel to CST for two weeks of Team Training (travel, lodging, meals, and activities are the responsibility of the applicant). The applicant is also expected to return annually for recertification. The $150 recertification fee waived for veterans.
