Interested in a Morale Dog for Your Ship?
“Morale Dogs” are formally recognized as Expeditionary Facility Dogs (EFDs) and serve as part of the U.S. Navy’s Expanded Operational Stress Control (ESOC) program, a behavioral health initiative designed to reduce stigma, promote early intervention, and strengthen resilience across the Fleet.
Ship/ Command Responsibilities
Participating ships or commands must be willing and able to:
- Designate 3–5 handlers who can rotate daily care duties
- Provide routine wellness check-ins and maintain grooming/hygiene for a Morale Dog
- Follow OPSEC and Public Affairs guidelines for any media sharing
- Support consistent access to the Morale Dog across departments and rank structure
- Participate in PR efforts when possible (e.g. social media tagging with STS)
Shelter to Soldier Responsibilities
Shelter to Soldier handles all costs and logistics, including:
- Full gear package (vests, leashes, crate, bowls, grooming tools, etc.)
- Hands-on handler instruction, training materials and handler guides
- Pre- and post-deployment dog evaluations
- Ongoing support, emergency planning, and veterinary care
The Morale Dog program is 100% community funded. There is no financial necessity from the US Department of Defense. Shelter to Soldier maintains ownership and thus financial responsibility for Morale Dogs in perpetuity.
Next Steps
To begin the process of bringing a Morale Dog aboard, please fill out the form below: