In a world where mental health is at the forefront of many conversations, there is a non-profit
organization operating out of Tacoma, Washington, with a unique goal: to positively impact the lives of as many veterans as possible, particularly those facing service-related disabilities, with amiable and loving service dogs in training.
Paws for Purple Hearts is dedicated to training high-quality service dogs and providing top-notch therapeutic services to America's veterans. Paws for Purple Hearts operates nationally, with offices in Alaska, California, Texas, Virginia, and Washington State, where it has conducted programs and training since 2022. Paws for Purple Hearts has been carrying out programming and training in Washington since 2022, but in the summer of 2024, Paws for Purple Hearts Washington relocated to Tacoma from a modest facility in Lakewood to enjoy greater community outreach and host more events and programs in a spacious facility.
Paws for Purple Hearts Washington is currently training two service dogs: Olivia and Valor. Valor is a Labrador and Golden Retriever mix puppy, and Olivia is a Golden Retriever who is just over a year old. While these gentle, loving pups work on learning new skills, such as turning lights on and off, taking off socks, and providing soothing deep pressure therapy, similar to that of a weighted blanket, they also participate in community training programs. This allows Olivia and Valor to interact with as many veterans as possible before being placed with one handler at the end of their training. The best part? All these programs and service dogs are provided free of cost to veterans and their families.
These therapeutic programs range from the well-known and widely used "social therapy" to an innovative course known as Canine-Assisted Warrior Therapy. Social therapy is simple: Paws for Purple Hearts trainers bring service dogs in training to nursing facilities, community events, funerals, and other large gatherings. There, dogs can practice skills such as being unobtrusive and providing unconditional love and support to people who need a friend by their side.
Canine-Assisted Warrior Therapy (CAWTs for short) is an innovative 8-week-long course that
allows veterans and active-duty members to help trainers teach new skills to service dogs in training. This special program benefits both two- and four-legged participants. Pups spend time working on commands with a diverse group of people, and veterans and service members get to connect with dogs and each other through this shared experience. Each class starts with grooming dogs and ends with a puppy play session that allows both aspiring service dogs and humans time to decompress, reflect on what they’ve learned, and enjoy each other’s presence.
Paws for Purple Hearts Washington takes great pride in its work and outreach. The organization enjoys close connections with the Soldier Recovery Unit on Joint Base Lewis-McChord; the American Lake VA Medical Center; the Washington Soldiers Home in Orting, Washington; and numerous other veteran outreach organizations. Paws for Purple Hearts firmly believes that by supporting veterans and their families, it can support the community as a whole.
Service dogs in training are also active in the community--you’re likely to see them at a museum, grocery store, bowling alley, movie theater, and other places around town. This is because Paws for Purple Hearts service dogs are trained to behave wherever their handler may bring them. These good dogs can watch movies on the big screen and even resist the urge to chase golf balls at putt putt! This is due to both to their extensive training, which can range from 2.5 to 3 years, and because the Paws for Purple Hearts works exclusively with Golden or Labrador retrievers, whose calm, obedient temperaments make them ideal for the job.
Learn more about Paws for Purple Hearts and support their mission by visiting their website Paws for Purple Hearts!
Article by Paws for Purple Hearts
Edited by Jen Swanson