Free Service Dogs for Veterans in Missouri

Service Dogs for Missouri Veterans — At No Cost

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Battle Buddy is a Missouri-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to providing professionally trained service dogs to veterans at no cost to the veteran.

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Our mission is built around a simple idea: Rescuing Each Other: Veterans and Dogs United.

We give deserving shelter and rescue dogs a second chance while helping veterans gain greater independence, confidence, stability, and quality of life through a highly trained canine partner.

Whether you are living with PTSD, anxiety, mobility limitations, or another service-related disability, a properly trained service dog may be able to assist with specific disability-related needs.

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Who Can Apply for a Battle Buddy Service Dog?

Battle Buddy serves eligible veterans in Missouri who have a disability and can benefit from the assistance of a task-trained service dog.

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We look at each veteran individually. Our goal isn't simply to place a dog — it is to create the right veteran-and-dog partnership.

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Applicants should be prepared to actively participate in training, properly care for their service dog, continue the dog's training at home, and maintain the standards necessary for a successful working partnership.

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What Can a Service Dog Do?

Every Battle Buddy is trained according to the individual needs of the veteran. Depending on the veteran's disability and needs, trained tasks may include:

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Interrupting anxiety or PTSD-related behaviors

Providing grounding during episodes of distress

Creating space or positioning around the veteran

Retrieving needed objects

Providing assistance with mobility-related needs

Alerting the veteran to specific trained cues

Interrupting repetitive or harmful behaviors

Assisting the veteran during episodes related to their disability

Performing other individually trained disability-mitigating tasks

Service dogs are not one-size-fits-all. The tasks selected for each Battle Buddy are based on the needs of the veteran they are matched with.

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Rescuing Each Other

Battle Buddy believes there are veterans who need dogs and dogs who need veterans.

Whenever possible, we work with shelter, rescue, and correctional dog-training programs to identify dogs with the temperament and potential to become successful service dogs.

Dogs are evaluated before entering our program and receive extensive training in areas such as obedience, manners, public access, confidence, and appropriate behavior in everyday environments.

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When a dog is ready, we carefully consider the veteran's needs, lifestyle, personality, activity level, and other factors to help create the strongest possible match.

This is why we call our mission Rescuing Each Other.

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How the Battle Buddy Program Works

1. Apply

The process begins with an application so we can learn about you, your needs, lifestyle, and what you hope a service dog will help you accomplish.

2. Matching

We don't simply assign the next available dog. We evaluate both the veteran and dog to determine whether their personalities, needs, abilities, and lifestyles are compatible.

3. Train Together

Once matched, the veteran becomes an active participant in the training process. Veterans generally train with Battle Buddy on a regular basis while learning how to communicate with, handle, and maintain the training of their service dog.

4. Individualized Task Training

The dog is trained to perform tasks directly related to the veteran's disability and individual needs.

5. Public Access Training

Veteran-and-dog teams practice in real-world environments so they can develop the skills, confidence, and reliability needed to function successfully together.

6. Graduation

Before graduating from the Battle Buddy program, each team must demonstrate the skills and standards required by our program. Graduation isn't the end of our relationship.

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Lifetime Support

A service dog partnership continues long after graduation.

Battle Buddy is committed to supporting our veteran-and-dog teams throughout their partnership. Veterans can contact us for training assistance, troubleshooting, refresher training, and guidance as needs change.

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Our goal isn't simply to provide a service dog. Our goal is to build a successful partnership that lasts.

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How Much Does a Battle Buddy Service Dog Cost?

$0 to the Veteran.

Battle Buddy provides our service dog program at no cost to eligible veterans.

Training and preparing a service dog requires a significant investment of time, professional training, veterinary care, equipment, supplies, transportation, and ongoing support.

Those costs are made possible through donations, sponsorships, grants, fundraising, volunteers, and the generosity of people and organizations who believe Missouri veterans deserve access to the assistance they need.

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Service Dogs vs. Emotional Support Animals

A service dog is individually trained to perform specific tasks related to a person's disability.

Emotional support animals provide comfort through their presence but are not considered service animals simply because they provide emotional support.

Battle Buddy trains task-trained service dogs and prepares veteran-and-dog teams for the responsibilities associated with working with a service dog.

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Serving Veterans Across Missouri

Battle Buddy is based in Missouri and is committed to helping veterans throughout the state.

If you're a Missouri veteran and believe a service dog could help you regain independence, confidence, or stability, we encourage you to learn more about our program.

Distance doesn't automatically mean you shouldn't apply. Contact Battle Buddy so we can discuss your circumstances and determine whether our program may be a good fit.

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Ready to Find Your Battle Buddy?

You served our country. You shouldn't have to face the next chapter alone.

A Battle Buddy can provide more than assistance with trained tasks. The right partnership can help a veteran navigate everyday life with greater confidence and independence while giving a deserving dog a purpose and a home.

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Rescuing Each Other: Veterans and Dogs United

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APPLY FOR A SERVICE DOG

Start your Battle Buddy application today.

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Have Questions?

Contact Battle Buddy to learn more about our Missouri veterans service dog program. 1-888-991-BUDS (2837)

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Help Us Provide Service Dogs at No Cost

Every Battle Buddy partnership is made possible by people who believe in our mission.

Your donation helps support dog selection, veterinary care, professional training, equipment, public-access training, veteran education, and continued support for our teams.

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DONATE TO BATTLE BUDDY

Help us rescue two lives at once.

 

Battle Buddy • Missouri Veterans Service Dog Program