Eligibility and application process 

Introduction 

Veterans With Dogs (VWD) provides specially trained assistance dogs to support Veterans experiencing mental health difficulties related to service in the British Armed Forces. 

Our programme is built around a structured partnership between Veteran and dog, with the aim of improving independence, confidence, and day-to-day stability. 

We understand that applying can feel like a big step, so we aim to make the process clear, supportive, and realistic from the outset. 

Eligibility criteria 

To apply, you must meet the following: 

  • You have served in the British Armed Forces or Merchant Navy
  • You are aged 18 or over  
  • You have a diagnosed mental health condition. It doesn’t have to be specifically PTSD; other mental health conditions are also considered. 
  • You are engaged in, or have previously engaged in, a recognised treatment or therapy plan  
  • You are able to commit to residential training and ongoing training sessions 
  • You have a secure garden and direct access to your home 
  • While other animals (such as cats) are permitted, there should be no other dogs in the home 

Meeting these criteria allows you to begin the application process but does not guarantee acceptance onto the programme. 

How to apply 

Our application process is designed to ensure the right fit for both you and your future assistance dog. 

Step 1 – Register of interest 

Submit a short form with basic information. 
This is not a full application and helps us understand your initial suitability. 

Step 2 – Initial review 

We review your Register of Interest to confirm whether you meet the eligibility criteria. 

Step 3 – Meet and greet day 

You will be invited to attend a Meet & Greet Day. 
This is a required step before moving forward. 

On the day, you will: 

  • Meet the team  
  • Learn more about how the programme works  
  • Understand the level of commitment involved  
  • Explore how an assistance dog may support your individual needs  
  • Discuss whether the programme is right for you  

Step 4 – Full application 

Following attendance at a Meet & Greet Day, you are invited to complete a full application and provide supporting documentation. 

Your application will then be reviewed in more detail. 

Step 5 – Home assessment 

If your full application is successful, we will arrange a home visit. 

This helps us: 

  • Understand your home environment  
  • Assess suitability for a dog  
  • Discuss your lifestyle and individual requirements  

Step 6 – Approval and next stage 

If approved, you will either: 

  • Be placed on the waiting list to be matched with a suitable assistance dog 
    or  
  • Begin assessment/training with your own dog  

Important to know 

  • Attendance at a meet and greet day is required before a full application is accepted  
  • Not all applicants will progress through every stage  
  • Final decisions are made based on suitability for both the Veteran and the dog  

Frequently Asked Questions 

Start by completing our Register of Interest form. 
If eligible, you’ll be invited to a Meet & Greet before completing a full application. 

There is no cost for: 

  • The dog  
  • Training  
  • Ongoing programme support  

However, once placed, you are responsible for: 

  • Food  
  • Insurance  
  • Veterinary care  
  • General upkeep  

Typically, between 12 and 24 months, depending on: 

  • Your individual needs  
  • Availability of suitable dogs  
  • Training requirements  

Yes, if your dog meets our criteria.  

Requirements include: 

  • Dog is under 3 years old  
  • Breed type (not all breeds are accepted for training) 
  • You have been the sole owner  
  • Suitable temperament and assessment  

Our dogs are trained to: 

  • Support daily routines (including waking and medication reminders)  
  • Recognise and respond to anxiety behaviours  
  • Interrupt panic attacks, flashbacks, and nightmares  
  • Help reduce hypervigilance  
  • Assist in regaining emotional control  

Dogs are trained to recognise early behavioural changes and intervene by: 

  • Interrupting the pattern  
  • Redirecting focus  
  • Supporting grounding techniques  

Usually 12 to 24 months, depending on: 

  • The dog’s development  
  • Your lifestyle and needs  
  • Home and family environment  

No, we require the assistance dog to be the only dog in the household to ensure: 

  • Strong bonding  
  • Effective training  
  • Consistency  

We primarily consider dogs from gundog backgrounds, including: 

  • Labrador Retrievers  
  • Golden Retrievers  
  • Spaniels (e.g. Cocker Spaniel, Springer Spaniel)  
  • Retriever and Spaniel crosses  

We also consider crossbreeds, provided they do not include breeds from the excluded categories below and meet the required temperament standards. 

For safety, welfare, and training reasons, we do not accept dogs with strong traits associated with: 

  • Bull breeds  
  • Guarding breeds  
  • Terrier breeds  
  • Toy breeds 

You must: 

  • Commit to training (home and public settings)  
  • Maintain the dog’s training long-term  
  • Provide proper care (health, grooming, exercise)  

We continue to support you throughout the partnership. 

Owning a dog is a long-term commitment and should be carefully considered along with the costs of dog ownership. 

Dogs need: 

  • Daily exercise  
  • Routine and structure  
  • Ongoing attention  

They cannot be left alone for long periods. 

A dog relies on you completely for: 

  • Care  
  • Safety  
  • Wellbeing  

This commitment can last 13+ years. 

Having a dog affects: 

  • Travel and holidays  
  • Social life  
  • Daily planning  

Everything needs to be considered in advance. 

**UK GDPR compliance is important to us. 

When you apply to Veterans With Dogs, we collect and process personal information to assess your suitability for the programme. 

  • Personal details (name, contact information)  
  • Service history  
  • Health and medical information (relevant to your application)  
  • Supporting documentation  

Your data is used to: 

  • Assess eligibility  
  • Manage your application  
  • Support training and placement  
  • Maintain records for safeguarding and programme delivery  
  • Stored securely  
  • Access limited to authorised personnel only  
  • Retained only as long as necessary  

You have the right to: 

  • Access your data  
  • Request corrections  
  • Request deletion (where appropriate)  
  • Withdraw consent  

We do not share your data with third parties unless: 

  • Required by law  
  • Necessary for safeguarding  
  • Required for programme delivery (with your consent)  

For any data-related queries, please contact us directly. 

If you feel this programme is right for you, 
Click the Register of Interest form to begin your journey.