Assistance Dog enquiry
If you are a veteran struggling with your mental health, you are not alone. We are here to listen, understand, and explore whether Veterans With Dogs is the right support for you.
Who we support
We work with veterans of the UK Armed Forces and Merchant Navy who are living with complex mental health challenges.
This may include PTSD, complex trauma, anxiety, depression, feelings of isolation or difficulties leaving the home, and difficulties with confidence, relationships, and daily life.
You do not need to have everything figured out before getting in touch.
Eligibility and application process
Find out more and if our PALS programme is right for you:
What we offer
We provide carefully matched assistance dog partnerships through our PALS™ (Partner Animal Life Skills) programme.
A thorough and respective assessment process
Careful matching with a trained assistance dog
Structured residential training
Ongoing support for both veteran and dog
This support is built around you, your needs, your pace, and your circumstances.
What to expect
We understand that reaching out can feel like a big step.
Our process is designed to be supportive, transparent, and paced appropriately.
Step 1
Initial enquiry
You share some basic information with us so we can understand your situation.
Step 2
Application process
We will explore whether an assistance dog partnership is right for you.
Step 3
Approval and support
From here, we work closely with you to start on our PALS Programme
There is no obligation – this is about finding the right support.
Why we ask for some information
We are a small team supporting veterans with complex needs. In order to respond appropriately and safely, we ask for some initial information when you get in touch. This helps us:
Understand your circumstances
Ensure our support is suitable
Respond in a timely and appropriate way
Your information is handled confidentially and with care.
Is this right for you?
Our programme is not the right fit for everyone, and that’s okay.
We will always be honest and respectful in our conversations with you. Where we can’t help directly, we will do our best to signpost you to other sources of support.
Current demand
Demand for our service is high, and we may have a waiting list. We will always be clear with you about timescales and next steps.
In some cases, veterans may be able to join our programme with their own dog through our Owner Trained pathway.
This option depends on your dog meeting specific suitability criteria, including temperament, behaviour, and age (typically under 3 years old). Not all dogs will be suitable, but we are happy to explore this with you as part of your enquiry.
