Veterans With Dogs - The UK's leading organisation for mental health assistance dogs

Welcome to Veterans With Dogs

The UK's leading organisation providing life-changing assistance dogs

for current and former members of the British Armed Forces.

What we do

An award winning organisation, Veterans With Dogs trains and provides assistance dogs for Veterans with complex mental health difficulties - including PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).

We believe in the incredible power of the human-canine connection. Our mission is to empower Veterans by providing them with highly trained assistance dogs, offering unwavering support and a renewed sense of purpose. Together, we're transforming lives, one wet nose at a time.

Assistance Dogs for Mental Health

Exclusively for current and former members of the British Armed Forces.

Life changing support for Veterans

Assistance dogs have a profound effect on the every day lives of those coping with mental health challenges.

Puppy Programme

Raising future Hero dogs to help change lives for the better.

Community Dogs

Providing services and representation of the charity for a wide range of community settings and involvement.

Discover the Life-Changing Benefits

Our four-legged heroes provide so much more than companionship. With their loyalty, expert training, and unconditional love, our assistance dogs help Veterans in overcoming mental health challenges.

From mitigating the effects of complex mental health difficulties, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), to boosting confidence and enhancing overall well-being, these remarkable canines provide life-changing support.

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Changing Lives, One Wet Nose at a Time

Your help makes a world of difference. By donating to Veterans With Dogs or sponsoring an assistance dog, you become an integral part of our mission to empower Veterans.

Help us provide life-changing opportunities, increase awareness, and foster the life-long bonds between Veterans and their trusted canine companions.

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Take Action Today

Ready to make a difference? Explore our website to learn more about our programmes, success stories, and ways to get involved. Whether you're a Veteran seeking support or someone looking to contribute, we invite you to join us.

Together, we can create a brighter future for our nation's heroes.

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DogBlog

What does the science say about assistance dogs for mental health?

Research into the effectiveness of Assistance Dogs for Veterans with PTSD revealed that 82% of those partnered with an assistance dog reported a reduction in their symptoms and 40% took less medication. Animal-assisted interventions for PTSD can help reduce the alarming suicide rate among Veterans, decrease the number of hospitalisations, and lower the cost of medications and human care.

Science // Research //

Evidence

Evidence demonstrates improvement in anxiety, fear, depression, and loneliness with associated physiological changes following animal-assisted interventions, which has important implications for the use of such therapy with military personnel suffering from combat stress, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other trauma-related mental health conditions.

Science // Research //

Dogs for Mental Health

VWD uses evidence based research, with combined practical experience, that has included input from experts in psychology, specialists in dog behaviour and training, and from our own experience, to gain a better understanding of the ways in which partnership with an Assistance Dog can become a valuable adjunct to conventional therapy. Our own research includes multiple measures of symptoms associated with PTSD.

Science // Research //