Changing Lives
One Service Dog at a Time

Our mission is to provide specially trained dogs to persons with disabilities to support their personal, social, and occupational independence.

A Boston Bruins Foundation Partnership Empowering Veterans Together

A cst story
From Trauma to Hope

During a special feature at a Boston Bruins game, Canine Support Teams was highlighted in an interview with Jeff Papows, CST Board Member, and Da’Von Patterson, CST Trainer, alongside Bo Bruin, a service dog in training. Conducted by New England Sports Network (NESN), the segment showcased the powerful impact of CST’s Pawz for Wounded Vets program, which provides highly trained service dogs to veterans living with PTSD and other service-related challenges. The interview highlighted the training journey of Bo Bruin and the growing partnership between CST and the Bruins community to support veterans through the life-changing assistance of service dogs.

For years, Marine Corps veteran Brian 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. Through CST, he was paired with Champ, a highly trained service dog who instantly understood what Brian needed, emotionally and physically. Champ became more than a service dog. He became a lifeline.

Changing lives for the better

Since 1989, Canine Support Teams has been providing specially trained service dogs to veterans and persons with disabilities. Each life-changing match is made possible by generous volunteers and donors.

Raising the next generation of helpers

“Puppy raising allowed my family and me to share our hearts and home with Monti, with a feeling of pride and fulfillment knowing we were training him for a bigger job.”

Puppy Raiser Lisa O’loughlin