Skip to main content

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn More About Liberty Dogs™

Overview

  • What is Liberty Dogs?

    Liberty Dogs is a national organization that matches U.S. Veterans living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with highly trained Service Dogs and offers science-backed, integrated wellness programs. As a flagship initiative of the Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation, we bring every part of the healing journey in one place built for independence and renewed purpose.

  • How significant is the need for Service Dog programs for Veterans?

    The need is considerable and growing. Many Veterans live with PTSD, traumatic brain injury, mobility challenges, and anxiety. Service Dogs offer emotional support and mobility assistance, helping Veterans regain confidence, independence, and connection. They also improve mental health and quality of life. 

    This support creates a ripple effect, strengthening relationships and helping create more stable and healthy environments for spouses, children, and caregivers.

  • What makes Liberty Dogs different from other Veteran Service Dog organizations?

    Liberty Dogs, a funded national non-profit U.S. Veteran Service Dog organization, comes at no cost to the heroes we serve.  In addition to training and placing canine partners, we provide integrated wellness programs to support Veteran well-being, plus volunteer opportunities that power the mission, from community- and prison-based puppy-raising to flexible fostering.

  • How is Liberty Dogs funded and sustained?

    Liberty Dogs is funded by the Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation, whose long-term philanthropic commitment ensures Veterans receive high-quality services at no cost. We welcome donations from the broader community to help expand our campus’ reach. Future gifts will support serving more Veterans, raising and training more Service Dogs, and extending the organization’s impact.

  • Why start Liberty Dogs now?

    The need for comprehensive Veteran support has never been greater. Rising awareness of PTSD and mental health challenges among Veterans, combined with mounting evidence of the impact of Service Dogs, made this the right moment to build an integrated model designed for successful, long-term outcomes. Liberty Dogs goes beyond placing a Service Dog; we also offer ongoing wellness resources, mental health support, and Veteran-informed services that strengthen resilience.

  • How is Liberty Dogs collaborating with other organizations?

    Liberty Dogs partners with groups like K9s For Warriors, Cornell University, The University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine, UC Davis, University of Denver, and Assistance Dogs International to expand training resources and foster programs while improving outcomes for Veterans and shelter dogs alike. We also collaborate with researchers to advance the national understanding of Service Dog impact.

  • When does Liberty Dogs open?

    Liberty Dogs is now open, combining Liberty Service Dog training and placement with an integrated wellness and education experience supporting the long-term well-being of U.S. military Veterans living with PTSD.

    If you are a member of the media and would like more information, please contact Chrisie Yabu, APR, pr@kps3.com.

The Liberty Service Dogs™ Training and Placement Program

  • Who is eligible to receive a Service Dog?

    U.S. military Veterans diagnosed with PTSD are eligible to apply for the Liberty Service Dogs™ Training & Placement program.

  • How many Veterans will Liberty Dogs serve in 2026?

    The goal is to match approximately 200 Veterans a year with a Service Dog.

  • How do Veterans apply for a Service Dog, and is there a waiting list for the Liberty Service Dog Training and Placement Program?

    Veterans must complete an online application, provide documentation of their disability and medical need, participate in interviews and assessments, and commit to training sessions. Waiting lists are common, as Service Dog training can take 12–18 months.

  • How are Veterans matched with their Service Dog?

    We use a thoughtful, Veteran-centered matching process that considers lifestyle, needs, personality, and goals. Each dog is trained to the highest standard and carefully paired to create the strongest possible partnership and long-term success.

  • What support do Veterans receive after completing the Liberty Service Dog Training and Placement Program?

    Support doesn’t end at graduation. Veterans have access to Liberty Dogs’ continued guidance, resources, and both on-campus and virtual support, so they and their Service Dogs can keep thriving together over time.

  • Is there a cost to Veterans?

    Training, placement, and on-campus wellness support are provided at no cost, thanks to the long-standing commitment of the Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation. After the Service Dog’s graduation and placement, the Veteran is responsible for their dog’s food.

Other Programs

  • What does the Warrior Wellness Program include?

    This transformative in-person program guides Veterans through physical, mental, emotional, and social wellness using evidence-based practices and Veteran-informed care. It brings peer support, mindfulness techniques, physical readiness, and an introductory dog-training module together to harness the human-animal bond for confidence and focus. 

    Please note that participation in an introductory workshop does not guarantee acceptance into the full Liberty Service Dogs™ Training & Placement program.

  • What is the Liberty Dogs Prison Puppy Raising Program?

    The Liberty Dogs Prison Puppy Raising Program partners with correctional facilities to expand training capacity while creating meaningful rehabilitation opportunities. Carefully selected incarcerated participants raise and socialize purpose-bred puppies under the guidance of our professional trainers, building structure, and responsibility through daily care and foundational training. The program strengthens the pipeline of well-prepared dogs for Veterans while fostering accountability, skill development, and personal growth among participants, creating impact that extends far beyond the training environment.

Volunteering

  • How can I support Liberty Dogs?

    There are many ways to support Liberty Dogs. Puppy raisers give dogs their earliest care and training, foster volunteers offer love and a stable home to a former shelter dog, and Guardian Homes provide a nurturing place for our breeding candidates to thrive. Donations help us expand our reach, support innovation, and serve more Veterans and Service Dogs.

  • How do I become a volunteer puppy raiser?

    Puppy raisers provide early care, socialization, and foundational training for future Service Dogs. We offer full support, training classes, socialization guidance, and cover all costs, so you’re equipped to give each puppy the strongest possible start. Puppy raisers generally keep a puppy until the dog is 16-18 months of age, when they’re ready for formal advanced training at our facility. 

    For more information on what’s involved in being a puppy raiser, visit the webpage

  • What is the Liberty Dogs Shelter Dog Program?

    The Liberty Dogs Shelter Dog Program rescues adult dogs from under-resourced shelters across Nevada and Northern California, giving them a second chance while supporting a Veteran’s healing journey. Foster families provide a stable, loving home environment while Liberty Dogs’ professional trainers manage evaluation, training, and ongoing guidance, with all supplies and veterinary care covered. Designed to be flexible and fully supported, the program allows fosters to make a meaningful impact without navigating the process alone. Every dog accepted into the program is guaranteed a lifetime safety net and will never return to a euthanasia-risk shelter.

  • What is the Liberty Dogs Guardian Home Program?

    The Liberty Dogs Guardian Home Program is a unique volunteer opportunity that allows a family or individual to provide a loving home for a specially selected Service Dog purpose-bred candidate. Liberty Dogs covers veterinary care, food, and essential supplies, allowing Guardians to focus on connection, consistency, and care. These dogs are crate-trained and fully supported by Liberty Dogs’ professional team, making the program accessible even to families without prior training experience. By becoming a Guardian Home, volunteers ensure that future Service Dogs will be available for Veterans. Liberty Dogs retains ownership of the dog while in the Liberty Dogs purpose-bred program, and once the dog’s purpose-bred career is completed, the Guardian Home will have the opportunity to adopt the dog.