Liberty Dogs
A flagship initiative of the Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation, Liberty Dogs™ is a national Service Dog training and placement program for U.S. military Veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD). Based in Reno, Nevada, and scheduled to open in the Summer of 2026, Liberty Dogs offers hope and dignity for Veterans seeking support for their healing and recovery. With an emphasis on supporting the whole health of our U.S. Veterans, Liberty Dogs incorporates a comprehensive wellness and education curriculum into the program.
On campus, Veterans will spend two weeks living and training with their Liberty Service Dog™, leaving prepared to lead more independent and fulfilling lives. All services are offered at no cost to program participants.
Liberty Service Dogs will be trained to conduct a wide variety of tasks through extensive training and development. Our staff places special emphasis on finding the ideal Veteran-Service Dog team. This ambitious initiative aims to serve as a national leader in Veteran support and canine partnerships.
Maggie, a Liberty Dogs puppy-in-training, is currently living, training, and socializing with a volunteer puppy raiser. When you join the team of puppy raisers, you’ll do more than care for a dog; you'll create a lifeline for a hero.
Programs
Wellness and Education
The Liberty Dogs Wellness and Education Program is a 3.5-day, in-person workshop-based program that immerses Veterans in a curriculum designed to address the unique physical, emotional, and mental health needs associated with all aspects of daily life.
This program is currently available to Reno-based U.S. Veterans.
Canine Training
and Placement
The Liberty Service Dog Training and Placement Program is currently busy training puppies for our first cohort of Veteran participants, so we are not yet considering applications to participate in the program. If you would like to be notified when the application process opens, please click the button below and provide us with your contact information.
To be eligible, applicants should be U.S. Veterans with a VA-diagnosed service-connected post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD) condition. The screening process involves background checks, coordination with mental health providers, and an in-person skills assessment.
Puppy
Raising
Help change a Veteran’s life by volunteering to raise a Liberty Dog puppy! Puppy raisers typically keep their puppies for 14 to 16 months, helping to prepare them for formal advanced training at the Liberty Dogs facility.
No, previous training experience required, and Liberty Dogs will cover all puppy-related expenses.
Campus
Currently under construction in Reno, Nevada, the all-inclusive, state-of-the art Liberty Dogs campus includes specialized training facilities, comfortable dog housing, administrative and multipurpose buildings, and onsite accommodations for Veterans participating in the two-week training program.
The campus also includes a dedicated veterinary clinic to ensure the health and wellness of the dogs, and specialized breeding and whelping facilities to support the program’s growth. This comprehensive approach will allow Liberty Dogs to manage all critical aspects of the program, ensuring the highest standards of care.
Opening our doors to Veterans in Summer 2026!
