Shelter to Soldier™ is proud to offer a range of programs designed to support veterans, active-duty military personnel, Gold Star families, and first responders. Whether you’ve had a dog before or are new to canine companionship, our team of certified dog trainers provides hands-on education to ensure long-term success.
Psychiatric Service Dog Program
This program is designed for Post-9/11 veterans, Gulf War veterans, and survivors of Military Sexual Trauma (MST). Approved applicants are paired with a primary trainer and participate in a “speed dating” process to ensure the best match based on their needs and lifestyle.
Participants attend weekly sessions with their trainer and service dog to learn public access skills, handler rights, basic grooming, nutrition, and obedience. On average, the program takes 6–9 months to complete. Graduated teams are required to complete a Public Access Test annually for the next five years to maintain their accreditation with Shelter to Soldier™.
When it’s time to retire a service dog, our team is here to help. Whether you’re transitioning your dog to pet life or preparing for a new service dog, we’ll work with you to evaluate what’s changed and adjust your plan accordingly. We’ll also teach important transition skills to support both you and your dog.
Participants are encouraged to reach out to Shelter to Soldier™ at any time for continued support and guidance.
Emotional Support Animal Program
Our ESA Program is open to veterans of all eras, active-duty personnel, Gold Star families, and first responders.
Participants are paired with a dedicated trainer who will take time to understand their needs and help match them with the right dog. Once matched, students receive up to 10 one-on-one training sessions at our Wings of Freedom campus. To successfully complete the program, teams must pass the AKC Canine Good Citizen test. Once the dog goes home, alumni are encouraged to reach out to us any time for help, questions, or troubleshooting.
Canine Ambassador Program
Launched in 2020, the Canine Ambassador Program is our way of giving back to the military and local community. It all started with Moose, a retired psychiatric service dog who wasn’t quite ready to stop working.
Our Canine Ambassadors are dogs of all breeds who bring joy, comfort, and connection at events like homecomings, fundraisers, and speaking engagements. They’re always ready to offer snuggles and support wherever they go. We’re always looking for new ambassadors. If your dog passes our evaluation, Shelter to Soldier™ will sponsor therapy dog training for you and your pup.
For more information or questions, please contact our veteran services team.
veteranservices@sheltertosoldier.org — (760)870-5338