Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of volunteer opportunities are there with Vets Helping Heroes?

We are a newly formed organization and, as such we are not currently in a position to support an extensive volunteer staff. If you are interested in helping out as we grow, please sign up for our mailing list to be notified when volunteer opportunities become available. We greatly appreciate your interest and willingness to help.

Our primary need at present is to raise funds for dogs. If you are able to do so, contributions are therefore the most significant manner in which you can be of immediate help. In addition, you can spread the word about our organization. We would be happy to send you brochures that you can hand out to anyone you think might be interested in learning more.

How can I help raise money for Vets Helping Heroes?

Vets Helping Heroes recently became an affilate with ShopBest Cares. By downloading the ShopBest Cares toolbar to your browser you can raise money for Vets Helping Heroes and earn some for yourself at the same time. Learn more here.

I would like to raise or train service dogs. Can I help your organization in this way?

Vets Helping Heroes is currently a registered non-profit in the state of Florida. We continue to work on getting registered in the other 49 states. In the meantime, we cannot authorize on getting registered foundation that raises money to provide service dogs for today's returning veterans. We do not train or raise dogs. If you have an interest in becoming involved in the training or raising of support dogs, sources of information and opportunities can be found on the Internet to help you become involved.

What becomes of the dogs after they retire?

Service dogs work 24 hours, seven days per week. As a result, and in consideration of the hard and dedicated work that these dogs put in on behalf of their owners, they are usually retired by the age of 10 or 11 years. At that time, the disabled veteran will receive a new service dog, but may chose to keep the original dog for the remainder of its life since the bond between the disabled veteran and the dog - and the entire family - is generally very strong.

How can I learn if I'm eligible and how do I apply for a quide or service dog?

To learn more visit www.VetDogs.org.

When the government bill to provide funds for veterans to receive service dogs is enacted, will Vets Helping Heroes no longer need private donations?

Not at all. The government will be a great help in providing service dogs for veterans but the money it will provide is a very small percent of the current need. Private donations are very much needed in order for us to continue our mission of providing a professionally trained assistance dog prepared by a qualified instructor to every disabled hero wounded in the global war on terrorism.