Mar 26, 2025 Veteran Suicide and the Benefits of Service Animals
WellBeing International was founded on the premise that “a responsible caretaker of our world must safeguard people, animals, and the environment, as each element is connected to and dependent on the well-being of the others.”
The bond between a Veteran and their service dog personifies this premise.
WellBeing International has published several reports emphasizing the vital role that animals can play in the lives of Veterans facing challenges related to their military service. We also strongly encourage more research on the effectiveness of service animals in assisting Veterans.
Recent Events
In 2024, the Office of Suicide Prevention at the Veterans Administration published an in-depth review of Veteran suicide (Part I and Part II) that includes statistics on Veteran suicide rates from 2000 to 2022 that are higher than the suicide rates of the general public. The report proposes a range of strategies for reducing Veteran suicide.
A significant recommendation from the VA’s report on Veteran suicide is encapsulated in the phrase, “Collective Effort Makes a Difference.” WellBeing International would expand this sentiment and argue that “it will take a nation to prevent Veteran suicides,” including actions by non-profits, military service programs, the US Congress, individual families, caregivers, friends, and the media. All can and should contribute to addressing a wide range of Veteran needs and supportive programs.
Examples of Organizations that are Making a Difference
Many outstanding organizations currently support Veterans by offering a variety of services. We focus here on two specific voluntary organizations that provide service dogs for Veterans. We highlight their unique approaches to training and placing trained service dogs with Veterans and both organizations’ commitment to promoting research that benefits Veterans.
K9s for Warriors
Founded by Shari Duval in 2011, K9s for Warriors is dedicated to its mission of ending Veteran suicide by helping Veterans “live the life they deserve.” As the nation’s largest provider of trained service dogs for military Veterans suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and/or military sexual trauma, K9s for Warriors focuses on creating strong bonds between Veterans and rescue dogs. This innovative program supports the healing and recovery of K9 warrior teams, supporting the development of an unwavering connection that benefits them both. The organization provides highly-trained Service Dogs to military Veterans suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injury and/or military sexual trauma. With most dogs being rescue animals, this innovative program allows the K9/Warrior team to build an unwavering bond that facilitates their collective healing and recovery.
A K9s for Warriors Story
Chris is a Navy Veteran from Houston, TX, who served from 1996 to 2018. He realized he had PTSD when he began experiencing constant nightmares. A friend who had a service dog from K9s For Warriors referred him to the program. K9s For Warriors paired Chris with a Labrador Retriever named Astro. Their bond grew quickly, and Astro started doing something service dogs are not trained to do: waking Chris from his nightmares. Chris and Astro have been paired for nearly a year and a half, and Chris is now sleeping through the night. He strongly advocates for Veteran mental health and encourages others to reach out for help if they need it. Chris has remarked that he never considered a service dog because he was good at compartmentalizing and managing issues. However, he now states, “I know my service dog has changed my life. A lot of males typically don’t want to ask for help. I thought I had everything under control. I now know that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.”
Warrior Canine Connection (WCC)
Founded in 2011, the Warrior Canine Connection assists recovering warriors in reconnecting with life, their families, their communities, and each other. The Warrior Canine Connection uses a Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) model to deliver on its mission. This model provides an opportunity for Warriors suffering from psychological injuries to reengage with civilian life by training a service dog. Warriors train the dogs to be paired with a fellow recovering Warrior while healing themselves.
WCC Puppy Rearing and Training
WCC has decided to purpose-breed retriever puppies, specifically Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers. These puppies are socialized at their “Healing Quarters” in Maryland and trained to become service dogs for Veterans. Since starting with a litter in 2013, the puppies have been named after service members and Veterans who have made significant contributions to the nation.
When the puppies are approximately 10 weeks old, they are placed with individuals and families who care for them for the next 18 to 24 months. These puppy parents provide loving homes, conduct training, and expose the puppies to various public settings to prepare them for advanced training and eventual placement with a disabled veteran.
Not all puppies graduate to become service dogs for veterans. Those that do not meet all the necessary requirements—such as being able to focus on their Veteran and being friendly but not overly friendly with the rest of the world—may serve in other roles as “ambassador” dogs, breeding dogs, or resident therapy dogs at institutions that provide services for Veterans.
Research
Both organizations emphasize the need for research to determine how best to address their missions. Research supported by the two organizations has demonstrated that service dogs do help ameliorate the symptoms of PTSD and potentially address the current Veteran suicide crisis. A recent Canadian study of Veteran PTSD and suicide commented on the many anecdotes that report how service dogs can help alleviate the symptoms of PTSD, anxiety and depression. The authors of this study were also struck by how often the Veterans raised the issue of suicide without any prompting and noted that the presence of service dogs helped ameliorate many of the factors that increased suicidality. The Veterans in the study also reported that the social support provided by their service dogs was unique and that this human-canine bond reduced their inclination to self-harm. The acquisition of a service dog was often one of the last options for the Veterans seeking help, but, according to the Veterans, it “proved to be the most effective in their recovery.”
Final Comments
The evidence supporting the effectiveness of service dogs in treating various post-conflict conditions, including suicidal thoughts experienced by military veterans, is increasingly compelling. WellBeing International advocates for continued research to support these services for veterans. After all, as caretakers of our world, people, animals, and the environment are interconnected and rely on each other’s well-being.
Warrior Canine Connection (WCC) uses a Mission Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR) training model to provide service dogs to veterans. WCC is an accredited member of Assistance Dogs International. WCC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization – EIN# 45-2981579. Home – Warrior Canine Connection
K9s For Warriors (K9FW) is committed to serving our Veterans as honorably as they served their country. Their lifelong program is provided to warriors at no cost and is designed to deliver maximum benefit with minimum administrative costs. K9FW is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization – EIN# 27-5219467. K9s For Warriors – Service Dogs for Veterans with PTSD.