'Northwest Battle Buddies' Founder Reveals How Service Dogs Are Life-Changing for Veterans

Northwest Battle Buddies has been gifting trained service dogs to Veterans at no cost to them since 2012.  They offer our American heroes hope, independence, and renewed freedom, making a difference in the lives of both our four-legged friends and the brave men and women who have sacrificed so much for us all.

PetHelpful spoke to Northwest Battle Buddies CEO and Founder Shannon Walker about the specially trained service dogs who help Veterans live the life they deserve.

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PetHelpful: Battle Buddies was founded in 2012, growing up did you have pets? What made you decide you wanted to follow this path?

Shannon Walker: My dad served during the Korean War and was the first patriot I ever knew. He taught me to believe in God, Family, and Country. When you are in the presence of a Veteran you are in the presence of a Hero, even though he never considered himself one. It was this established belief system that led me to found Northwest Battle Buddies in 2012.

In my simple-minded thinking, I thought, 'If I can adopt dogs out of shelters, I can train and gift them to Veterans and say 'Thank you for my freedom,' in a significant life-changing way.

It is my honor to serve the men and women who have fought for MY freedom..YOUR freedom. Where would we be without our freedom and the men and women who provided it through their selfless sacrifice and service to not only our country but to every American who has had the privilege of being born into this amazing country.

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PetHelpful: When looking for a PTSD therapy service dog, where do your dogs come from and how do you determine what qualities they have that would make them a good fit for service dog training?

Shannon Walker: Our service dogs come from carefully selected sources, including reputable breeders and rescue organizations. We prioritize selecting dogs with specific temperaments and characteristics that make them suitable candidates for service dog training.

Our selection process begins with thorough evaluations of each dog's temperament, health, and behavior. We look for qualities such as intelligence, trainability and sociability, which is essential for service work.

Once a dog meets our initial criteria, they undergo extensive training and evaluation by our experienced trainers. During training, we focus on teaching obedience, task-specific skills, and socialization to ensure that each dog is well-prepared for their role as a service dog.

Related: Flight With 30 Service Dogs in Training Is a Total Dream

Throughout the 5 month training process, the dogs are trained to navigate multiple public scenarios and environments with excellence.

The dogs are then each matched with a Veteran based on their individual needs, preferences, and lifestyle, ensuring a successful partnership that enhances the Veteran's quality of life. By carefully selecting and training our service dogs, we strive to provide Veterans with a reliable and effective tool to help manage their PTSD symptoms and improve their quality of life and well being.

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PetHelpful: How many dogs do you place per year?

Shannon Walker: Northwest Battle Buddies is one of the largest service dog providers for Veterans with PTSD in the United States. In the past few years we traditionally place between 34-43 dogs per year. This is determined by our yearly budget. Currently we have a waiting list of 90 qualified Veterans, and it is our goal that no Veteran has to wait longer than 6 months.

PetHelpful: What's the most rewarding part of the service you provide?

The most rewarding part of being involved with Northwest Battle Buddies is witnessing the profound life changing transformation in every Veteran who’s life we’ve impacted by gifting them a service dog. They are fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, sons and daughters…. Seeing them embrace newfound freedom and independence while actively participating in cherished family bonds is priceless. Knowing that we’re actively helping them brake barriers is a feeling that fills my heart like I have never known.

PetHelpful: What's one of your favorite stories about a dog you have placed?

Shannon Walker: There are countless stories that our Veterans have shared about how their service dogs have stopped their panic attacks, have woke them up from nightmares or stopped suicidal ideations. One story stands out regarding a Vietnam Veteran who had suicidal ideations every morning in the shower. Previously he had had a suicide attempt. He had made a plan for the future that would not fail. He knew how he would do it, what time of day and who would find him…… Every morning in the shower he would start his day by running the water cold, deciding if he would do “one more day.” During our 5 week Veteran training program, during week 3 he had an emotional moment when he realized since meeting his service dog Flame, he had not had a morning like that….. Fast forward many months after training and having Flame home, in the bathroom with him while showering. (She never leaves his side) He started having another morning like he used to, he was having suicidal ideations and before he knew it, Flame was whining and interrupting him in the shower. Breaking his suicidal ideations and getting his attention on her. She alerted on his adrenaline and since that day, together they have done “many many days.”

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PetHelpful:  What do you wish people understood about therapy service dogs?

Shannon Walker: I wish people understood the profound impact that service dogs have on the lives of Veterans battling PTSD. These remarkable animals are not pets: they are highly trained tools that provide invaluable support and traits used to serve their Veteran handlers.

Service dogs are not a one-size-fits-all solution, but rather, they are carefully matched with Veterans based on their individual needs, preferences, and lifestyle. These dogs undergo extensive training to perform specific tasks that help mitigate the symptoms of PTSD, such as waking their handler from nightmares, interrupting anxiety attacks, and providing emotional support during times of distress.

It’s essential for people to recognize and understand that service dogs are not just for disabilities that are obvious; they also play a crucial role in supporting individuals with invisible disabilities like PTSD. These service dogs make it possible for Veterans to regain their independence, improve their quality of life, and reintegrate into society.

Additionally, I want people to understand the dedication and commitment required to train and care for service dogs. It’s a labor of love that involves countless hours of training in social settings and task training for symptoms of PTSD. It is the quality of training that sets Northwest Battle Buddies apart and their Veteran handlers up for success.

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Overall, I hope to raise awareness and education about the impact professionally trained service dogs can have on the life of American Heroes and their families. Service dogs are a tool, helping Veterans break the barriers that have made their world small, full of fear and lonely. Veterans learn they can live life with freedom and independence again with a service dog at their side.

Thanks so much to Shannon for speaking with us and for the incredible service Northwest Battle Buddies provides. If you would like to learn more about this wonderful organization or to make a donation, you can visit their website here.

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