APPLICATIONS
About Our Assistance Dog Programme
Veterans with Dogs (VWD) specialises in training assistance dogs to support British Armed Forces veterans with recognised mental health difficulties. Our programme is designed exclusively for those who have served in the British military, British Allied Forces and the Merchant Navy.
Quick Checker
Eligibility as a Veteran
On this page you’ll find the information you need to help decide whether to apply to VWD.
Please read the eligibility criteria, exclusions and application process before submitting a Register of Interest.
We also recommend you check out the FAQ's for more answers to common questions.
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The applicant must be currently serving, or has previously served, in one of the British Armed Forces, Reserves or the Merchant Navy, and resides in the UK.
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The applicant must be aged 18 or over.
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The applicant must have a mental health diagnosis.
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The applicant must have a current or previous active therapy or treatment plan.
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The applicant must be fully committed, including attendance of residential training in Devon and ongoing regular training in their home area.
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The application must be completed by the Veteran.
Before applying, please consider the following:
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Regular feeding
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Grooming needs
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Daily exercise
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Routine veterinary care
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Family members must be willing to accommodate the dog
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All residents should comply with VWD guidelines
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Fully engage in regular training sessions provided by VWD
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Consistently apply training techniques at home
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Are you ready for this long-term commitment?
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Can you adapt your daily routine to include dog care?
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Attending an initial Meet & Greet in Devon
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Participating in further residential training sessions
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Annual reassessments
There are circumstances where an application would be declined based on any of the following:
- Physical disabilities including dependency of walking aids.
- Children in the applicant's home under the age of 5 years old.
- Another person in the home with a mental health condition or learning difficulties.
- Hospitalisation of the applicant within the last 6 months due to a mental health condition.
- The applicant's home environment not being suitable for keeping an assistance dog. (We do not place dogs in homes where there is no direct ground floor access to a secure outside space).
- An existing dog/dogs in the household who are not part of the programme.
- Any conviction for: animal abuse; abuse towards humans; or a conviction resulting in being listed on the sex offenders register.
The following summarises the processes that are used to select candidates to participate in our programme:
- Submit a Register of Interest, which is then reviewed to determine if the basic applicant criteria is met.
- Attend a PALS Meet & Greet* Day to learn more about the programme.
- Complete a Full Application, and return with relevant supporting documentation.
- A home visit will be scheduled to assess the suitability of the prospective home environment for a dog.
- Candidates for placements or training are then determined by review.
- Candidates must be able/willing to travel to Devon for residential training.
(*Attendance of PALS Meet & Greet is a pre-requisite to a full application being accepted).
If you meet the eligibility criteria then first of all submit a 'Register of Interest' form.
(You will automatically receive confirmation we have received your submission and a copy of the ROI).
Once checked we will then write to you within 28 days of the outcome of your ROI.
We will then write and invite you to the next available Meet & Greet day in Devon where you will meet some of our Team and be given a more in depth overview of the PALS programme. It is at this point you are then given a full application to take away and complete.
We look forward to hearing from you and we can be contacted directly if you have any further questions.
- Equal Opportunities Statement
Veterans with Dogs (VWD) is committed to treating every potential applicant with fairness and respect. We actively welcome applications from all veterans of the British Armed Forces who are experiencing mental health difficulties, regardless of their background or personal circumstances.
Our commitment to equality means that all applications will be considered based on merit and need, without discrimination on the grounds of:
- Age
- Gender or gender identity
- Marital or civil partnership status
- Sexual orientation
- Race or ethnicity
- Nationality
- Religion or belief
- Disability (other than the mental health condition for which assistance is sought)
- Rank or branch of service during military career
We recognise the diverse nature of our veteran community and value the unique experiences each applicant brings. Our selection process focuses solely on:
- The applicant's status as a British Armed Forces Veteran
- The presence of a recognised mental health condition
- The potential benefit an assistance dog could provide
- The applicant's ability to care for and work with an assistance dog
Priority may be given to applicants who have exhausted other treatment options and for whom we believe an assistance dog would be particularly beneficial. This approach ensures that our resources are directed towards those Veterans who can benefit most from our programme.
VWD is dedicated to supporting Veterans in their journey towards improved mental health and wellbeing. We strive to create partnerships between Veterans and assistance dogs that enhance quality of life and promote independence.
By applying this Equal Opportunities Statement, we aim to ensure that every eligible Veteran has a fair chance to benefit from our services, reflecting our commitment to the wellbeing of all those who have served our country.