Friends of America's VetDogs, a Community Service Group

Friends of America's VetDogs is an all-volunteer community service group founded in 2015 with the sole and express purpose of helping honorably discharged veterans get a service dog through America's VetDogs. The group is comprised of about 25 individuals who work tirelessly to bring awareness about America's VetDogs and to raise funds to sponsor new assistance dogs for veterans and first-responders with disabilities.

The group sponsored three puppies in 2015 ("Maddy", "Sarge" and "Pepi"); three in 2016 ("Sully H W Bush", "Sayville" and "Ruby"); four in 2017 ("Webber", "Florence", "Ballard" and "Navajo"); five in 2018 ("Brady", "Jennifer", "Jackson", "Kelley" and "Norris"); five so far in 2019 ("Thornton", "Annabelle", "Sharon", "Kettles" and "Byers") and hope to continue doing this for years to come. As of July 2019 they have raised more than $115,000.

Friends of America's VetDogs members name each dog they sponsor to honor an unsung hero of our military; someone who has brought great honor or credit to our military; or someone who has significantly helped a veteran-in-need.

Their major fundraisers include a Chinese Auction held every spring, yard sales, comedy shows and other events. For more information, please contact co-founders Cliff Miller & Patricia Summers either by phone (631-567-9493); by email (firehelmetmuseum@aol.com<mailto:firehelmetmuseum@aol.com>) or by mail (Friends of America's VetDogs, c/o Cliff Miller, PO Box 18, Bohemia, NY 11716-0018) with any questions or comments. Each of their events are also posted on the America's VetDogs calendar of events.

Donations of any amount (which can also be in the form of a tribute 'In Memory Of' or 'In Honor Of' someone) can be made by using the link immediately below. If you donate on this page using the link below, it will help the group reach their goal of sponsoring another dog ("Dewey") this year.
 

About America’s VetDogs®


America’s VetDogs® is dedicated to providing service dogs, FREE of charge, to servicemen and women who have sacrificed so much for this country.  Since 2006, more than 350 assistance dogs have been trained and placed as guide and service dogs with disabled veterans of all eras. America’s VetDogs provides guide dogs with individuals who are blind or have low vision; hearing dogs for people who have lost their hearing later in life, service dogs for those with other physical disabilities, facility dogs that work with physical and occupational therapists as part of the rehabilitation process in military and VA hospitals, and PTSD service dogs to help mitigate the effects of PTSD in an effort to provide the emotional and physical support needed.

In 2013, America’s VetDogs became the second assistance dog organization in the United States to be certified by the International Guide Dog Federation and Assistance Dogs International – the Guide Dog Foundation was the first.

The cost to breed, raise, train, and place one assistance dog is over $50,000.  America’s VetDogs relies on contributions from generous individuals, corporations, service clubs and foundations. To learn more about America’s VetDogs and its services and programs, visit www.VetDogs.org
  • 30,381 Raised so far this year



In the News


Information about the Puppy Sponsorship Opportunity


Puppy sponsors have the opportunity to name a puppy that will be raised by a puppy raiser family. A puppy sponsor receives a photo and certificate of the puppy once it’s been assigned a name. The sponsor receives periodic updates on how the puppy is progressing in the program and will be invited to "Celebration Sunday" should the dog be scheduled to graduate from the program. This contribution is $6,000 and helps to cover a portion of the costs associated with breeding, puppy raising, and veterinary care. A dog sponsor will be listed in our annual report. We cannot offer a replacement for any puppies that are “career changed” out of the program. Medical and/or behavioral issues can prevent a dog from graduating on class. To learn more, download the Puppy Sponsorship brochure and application.