View Products |  Sign In

Service Dogs Helping Veterans

July 3, 2020

A nonprofit providing service dogs to veterans and first responders at no cost in Pittsburgh is making a real difference. Their actions and local support are making us proud to be from Pittsburgh.

At a Grove City park, five military veterans gathered after being paired with their newest support animals.

“It’s just remarkable, I cannot believe it,” said James Grossman of Hermitage.

Veterans like Grossman suffer from invisible wounds, like PTSD or Traumatic Brain Injury. With the help of dogs from the Florida-based nonprofit Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, they’re regaining their independence.

“I would be very sheltered. I would not feel like I would be well to be out in public. Something might flare-up, I might be anxious,” said Dustin Schneider of Pittsburgh. “I might have a breakdown with her. She doesn’t let me get that far, she just wants me to be okay.”

The nonprofit gives 90% of their dogs to veterans and first responders. Guardian Angels founder Carol Borden said they see a lot of need and support from our region.

“We have just a wonderful, wonderful base of corporate sponsors and philanthropic-minded individuals who have welcomed us wholeheartedly over the past five years that we’ve been there in their area,” said Borden. “We have paired dozens and dozens of dogs in Pennsylvania.”

Pittsburgh professional sports teams, PNC and local foundations are just a few of the groups supporting the training for each dog, which cost $25,000.

Guardian Angels employee Joanne Werner said she loves being able to give dogs to people that need them.

“Just paying back all the respect that we have for them, giving them something that’s going to give them a new normal,” she said.

The support is appreciated by Schneider and his dog Spangle.

“Pittsburgh has been a very large staple in my recovery here,” said Schneider. Borden said they plan to expand by building their first campus, which will provide more dogs to more people.

Register Your Dog

Check Out Our Store

  • Recent News

    2025 Service & Support Dog Cards (Sneak Peak)

    September 21, 2024

    2025 Card Designs Have Arrived Early! ADA Members Take A Early look at our new designs.   Click For More Info & Where To Purchase Early

    Read more

    Artificial intelligence Service Dogs

    August 13, 2024

    Artificial intelligence (AI) can be used in service dogs in a variety of ways, including helping visually impaired people navigate, automating training center tasks, and monitoring a dog’s health: Navigation Researchers at the University of Glasgow and other partners have developed RoboGuide, an AI-powered robot dog that can help visually impaired people move independently and […]

    Read more

    Dog killed, 1 injured in two bear attacks .

    May 16, 2024

    A man who went into the water on Long Island to rescue his service dog ended up needing to be rescued himself. It happened on Sunday night in Oyster Bay. The 34-year-old man was walking his dog when it entered the water to swim around 8:23 p.m. The dog suddenly began to struggle while swimming […]

    Read more

    Walmart customer denied her access to service dog

    March 10, 2024

    Walmart customer with POTS says employees denied her access to service dog. customer can ruin everything. One Walmart shopper whose service dog alerted them to sit down on the ground due to a postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, or POTS, which is a fainting disorder, says that not only did the store’s staff attempt to deny her access […]

    Read more

    2024 Assistance Dog ID Cards Are Here!

    January 2, 2024

    Hello From Assistance Dogs Of America 2024 ID Cards Are Here! Wishing all of you a Happy New Year!   ADARegistry.com

    Read more

    Cyber Monday Service Dog Kits

    November 16, 2023

    CYBER MONDAY SPECIAL! (While Supplies Last) Complete Kits Include The ID Card Created Upon Registration, ID Card Holder, QR Coded Patch, Choice Of Vest, Extra Patch Of Choice, Bandana, Retractable Leash With ADA Logo, Tag & Registration Letter. Also All Included Is The All New Metal QR Coded Registration Card That Links Direct To Your […]

    Read more

    Airbnb Host Canceled Over Veteran’s Service Dog

    September 28, 2023

    While Boston couple Lauren Laliberte and Steve Bohn were busy preparing for their Cape Cod wedding, they were looking forward to celebrating alongside Bohn’s service dog — a yellow labrador named Orion. The plan was simple: They would make the trek from Boston to the Cape, and stay in an Airbnb the nights before and after […]

    Read more

    Make A QR Code With Your Dogs Picture & Link To Your Registration

    July 6, 2023

    Make A QR Code That Links To Your Dogs Registration Click Here It’s easy Click or Scan The Code & Add Your Dogs Photo Then Add Your Dogs Registration Link. Click Or Scan The Code

    Read more

  • 0
      0
      Your Cart
      Your cart is emptyReturn to Shop
        Calculate Shipping
        Apply Coupon