Battle Buddy
Service Dog Training
Battle Buddy Service Dog Training Program
A Journey From Rescue to Partnership
At Battle Buddy, we believe a successful service dog partnership cannot be measured by a set number of weeks or training hours.
Every dog is different. Every veteran is different. Every partnership is different.
That is why the Battle Buddy Service Dog Training Program is progress-based, not time-based. Dogs and veterans advance through a structured series of training stages called Operations, with each Operation representing an important step in the journey from rescue dog to working service dog team.
Our goal is not simply to train a dog and hand over a leash. We prepare the dog, carefully match the dog with a veteran, and then teach the veteran and dog how to work together as a team.
Rescuing Each Other: Veterans and Dogs United
The battle buddy training journey
Operation Second Chance
Rescue. Evaluate. Begin Again.
The Battle Buddy journey begins by giving a deserving dog a second chance.
Whenever possible, Battle Buddy works with shelters, rescues, and correctional dog-training programs to identify dogs with the temperament and potential to become successful service dogs.
Before entering the program, dogs are evaluated for qualities important to service work, including temperament, sociability, confidence, trainability, recovery from stress, environmental stability, and the ability to work appropriately around people and other animals.
Not every good dog is suited for service work. Our responsibility is to identify dogs that have the potential to thrive in the demanding role of a service dog.
For the dogs selected, Operation Second Chance marks the beginning of a new life and a new purpose.
Operation Foundation
Building the Skills for Success
Before a dog can assist a veteran, the dog must first develop a strong foundation.
During Operation Foundation, Battle Buddy establishes the obedience, communication, manners, and training skills the dog will need throughout the rest of the program.
Training may include:
• Leash manners
• Sit, down, and stay
• Recall
• Impulse control
• Appropriate greetings
• Settling calmly
• Handling and grooming tolerance
• Reliable response to commands
• Household manners
• Appropriate behavior around other dogs and people
Dogs also begin learning that good behavior and communication are expected in many different environments — not just during a formal training session.
A strong foundation prepares the dog for increasingly challenging real-world training.
Operation Confidence
Preparing for the Real World
A service dog must remain confident, composed, and responsive in environments that can be unpredictable.
Operation Confidence gradually exposes the dog to different sights, sounds, surfaces, people, locations, and everyday situations.
Training may take place in pet-friendly businesses, outdoor environments, community settings, parking lots, public spaces, and other locations appropriate to the dog's current training level.
Dogs learn to navigate distractions such as:
• Shopping carts
• Crowds
• Traffic
• Automatic doors
• Elevators
• Unusual surfaces
• Loud or unexpected noises
• Food and other tempting distractions
• People approaching or passing nearby
• Other animals
The goal is not simply exposure.
The dog must learn to remain confident, recover appropriately when surprised, focus on the handler, and make good decisions in changing environments.
Canine Good Citizen (CGC)
Every Service Dog Meets AKC Standards
All Battle Buddy service dogs are trained to meet or exceed AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) standards—the gold standard for well-behaved, reliable dogs in public settings.
AKC CGC Requirements
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Accepting a friendly stranger
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Sitting politely for petting
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Appearance and grooming acceptance
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Walking on a loose leash
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Walking through a crowd
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Sit, down, and stay on command
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Coming when called
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Reaction to another dog
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Reaction to distractions
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Supervised separation
Why This Matters
AKC CGC certification demonstrates that your service dog is safe, reliable, and well-trained in public settings—giving you confidence and legal credibility when accessing public spaces.
Operation Purpose
Training With a Mission
A Battle Buddy is more than a well-behaved companion.
A service dog must be individually trained to perform tasks that assist with the veteran's disability.
Operation Purpose begins developing the skills that can later be individualized to the veteran with whom the dog is matched.
Depending on the veteran's disability and needs, tasks may include grounding, interrupting disability-related behaviors, retrieving items, providing positioning or space, responding to specific cues, mobility-related assistance, or other trained behaviors that directly mitigate the veteran's disability.
Task training is individualized. Not every Battle Buddy learns the same tasks because not every veteran needs the same assistance.
This is where training begins transforming into purpose.
What We Train: Service Dog Tasks
Every Battle Buddy is trained to perform tasks that are individualized to the specific needs of the veteran. Because every veteran's disability and daily challenges are different, not every service dog will be trained to perform the same tasks.
Depending on the veteran's individual needs, service dog tasks may include:
Deep Pressure Therapy (DPT)
The dog is trained to apply calming physical pressure on cue or in response to a trained behavior, helping the veteran during periods of anxiety, distress, or overwhelm.
Grounding
The dog may be trained to use physical contact, nudging, licking, or another trained behavior to help redirect the veteran's attention during episodes of anxiety, panic, dissociation, or emotional distress.
Anxiety or PTSD-Related Behavior Interruption
The dog may be trained to recognize and interrupt specific behaviors associated with the veteran's disability, such as repetitive movements, increased agitation, or other individually identified behaviors.
Nightmare Interruption
The dog may be trained to wake the veteran in response to specific behaviors associated with nightmares or night terrors and provide a grounding presence after the veteran awakens.
Space Creation & Positioning
The dog may be trained to stand or position itself in front of, behind, or beside the veteran to create additional personal space in crowded or stressful environments.
Retrieval Tasks
The dog may retrieve specific items for the veteran, such as a phone, medication bag, mobility aid, dropped object, or another item related to the veteran's disability needs.
Mobility-Related Assistance
When appropriate for the dog and veteran, individually trained tasks may assist with certain mobility-related needs, such as retrieving dropped objects, carrying lightweight items, opening or closing accessible doors, or assisting with other trained daily activities.
Medical or Disability-Related Response
When appropriate, a dog may be trained to perform a specific response when the veteran displays an identifiable behavior or cue associated with their disability, such as retrieving an item, getting another person, providing grounding, or performing another individually trained task.
Environmental Tasks
Depending on the veteran's needs, a Battle Buddy may be trained to perform tasks such as turning accessible switches on or off, opening or closing appropriate doors, retrieving needed objects, or assisting with other everyday activities.
Individualized for Each Veteran
A service dog is more than a well-trained companion. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a service dog is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability.
For that reason, Battle Buddy develops task training around the **individual veteran's disability-related needs** rather than teaching every dog an identical list of tasks.
The goal is simple: train the skills that will make a meaningful difference in that veteran's daily life.
Operation Partnership
Finding the Right Battle Buddy
A successful service dog partnership is about much more than matching a veteran with an available dog.
Battle Buddy considers the veteran's disability-related needs, personality, lifestyle, activity level, home environment, experience with dogs, preferences, and other factors that can influence the success of the partnership.
We also consider the dog's temperament, personality, strengths, energy level, working style, and training progress.
When we believe a promising match has been identified, the veteran and dog begin learning together.
The veteran becomes an active participant in training rather than simply receiving a finished dog.
This transition is one of the most important parts of the Battle Buddy program.
Operation Teamwork
Two Individuals Become One Team
Once matched, the focus shifts from training the dog individually to developing the veteran-and-dog team.
The veteran learns how to handle, communicate with, reward, correct, care for, and continue training their Battle Buddy.
Together, they practice obedience, public-access skills, daily routines, and disability-specific tasks.
Training may occur in increasingly realistic environments so the veteran and dog learn how to navigate everyday life together.
Operation Teamwork also allows Battle Buddy to identify areas where the partnership needs additional training.
A dog may know a skill perfectly with the trainer but must also learn to perform that skill reliably for the veteran.
Likewise, the veteran must develop the handling skills and confidence necessary to maintain the dog's training.
The goal is not perfection overnight.
The goal is a reliable partnership built through communication, consistency, trust, and practice.
Operation Graduation
Demonstrating Readiness as a Team
Graduation is earned through demonstrated ability — not simply by completing a certain number of weeks.
Before graduating from the Battle Buddy program, the veteran-and-dog team must demonstrate the skills, behavior, reliability, and teamwork required by Battle Buddy.
Evaluation includes areas such as:
• Obedience and handler control
• Appropriate public behavior
• Response around distractions
• Reliable disability-related tasks
• Veteran handling skills
• Communication between veteran and dog
• Safety and appropriate decision-making
• Ability to function together in real-world environments
If a team needs additional work in an area, they continue training.
There is no pressure to graduate simply because a calendar says training should be finished.
Teams graduate when they are ready.
Operation Lifeline
Support Doesn't End at Graduation
Graduation is a milestone, not goodbye.
Battle Buddy remains a resource for our veteran-and-dog teams throughout their partnership.
As life changes, training needs can change too. Veterans may need help troubleshooting a behavior, refreshing an existing skill, developing an additional task, or adjusting to a new situation.
Battle Buddy provides continued guidance and training support to help our teams maintain successful working partnerships.
Once a Battle Buddy, always part of the Battle Buddy family.
Operation Retirement
Honoring a Lifetime of Service
Eventually, every working service dog reaches a point when retirement is appropriate.
Battle Buddy believes a dog that has spent years serving a veteran deserves the same commitment that the dog gave throughout its working life.
Operation Retirement helps veterans prepare for this transition and consider the future needs of both the retiring dog and the veteran.
Whenever appropriate, the retired Battle Buddy may remain with the veteran as a beloved companion. Battle Buddy can also help begin planning for a successor service dog when the veteran continues to need canine assistance.
Retirement isn't a failure.
It is the completion of a remarkable mission and a chance to honor a Battle Buddy for a job well done.
Our Training Methodology
How We Train: Positive, Balanced, Partnership-Focused
At Battle Buddy, we use a balanced training approach rooted in positive reinforcement, trust-building, and respect for the dog’s intelligence and emotional needs.
Our Philosophy
We believe that the best service dogs aren’t created through force or fear—they’re developed through understanding, consistency, and a genuine partnership between trainer, dog, and veteran.
Training Principles
Positive Reinforcement Foundation
We reward desired behaviors with treats, praise, play, and affection. This builds confidence, enthusiasm, and a genuine desire to work.
Balanced Approach
While positive reinforcement is our foundation, we also use clear boundaries, structure, and appropriate corrections when needed. This creates a well-rounded, reliable service dog who understands expectations.
Individualized Attention
Every dog learns differently. We adapt our methods to each dog’s personality, learning style, and temperament—never forcing a one-size-fits-all approach.
Gradual Progression
We build skills incrementally, ensuring each dog masters foundational behaviors before advancing to complex tasks. This prevents overwhelm and builds lasting confidence.
Real-World Exposure
Dogs train in real environments—stores, restaurants, parks, crowds—so they’re prepared for actual public access situations, not just controlled training settings.
Partnership Focus
We don’t just train the dog—we prepare them to attune to their specific veteran. This means teaching sensitivity, responsiveness, and the ability to read their handler’s unique cues.
How Long Does Battle Buddy Training Take?
There is no universal training timeline.
Some dogs enter Battle Buddy with significant prior training, including dogs coming from correctional or other established training programs. Other dogs may need considerably more preparation before they are ready to be matched.
Veterans also learn and progress at different rates.
For that reason, Battle Buddy does not promise that a service dog team will be ready in a predetermined number of weeks or after a predetermined number of training hours.
Training is progress-based, not time-based.
Each Operation builds upon the one before it, and dogs and veteran teams advance when they demonstrate the skills and readiness necessary for the next stage.
The Veteran Is Part of the Training
Battle Buddy does not believe the best service dog partnership is created by simply handing a veteran a trained dog.
The veteran needs to understand the dog, and the dog needs to learn to work for the veteran.
After matching, veterans participate in regular training sessions with their Battle Buddy. Scheduling may vary according to the needs and circumstances of the individual team.
This hands-on approach helps build the communication, confidence, consistency, and trust that a successful service dog partnership requires.
Professionally Trained. Individually Matched. Provided at No Cost.
Battle Buddy is a Missouri-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing professionally trained service dogs to eligible veterans at no cost to the veteran.
The cost of selecting, caring for, training, equipping, matching, and supporting a service dog is made possible through donations, sponsorships, grants, fundraising, volunteers, and community support.
Our mission creates two opportunities for a new beginning:
A deserving dog gains a home and a purpose.
A veteran gains a trained partner and a Battle Buddy.
Together, they rescue each other.
Ready to Begin?
If you are a Missouri veteran who believes a task-trained service dog could assist with your disability, we encourage you to learn more about Battle Buddy and our application process.
Help Create the Next Partnership
Your support helps provide dog selection, veterinary care, food, equipment, professional training, public-access preparation, veteran education, and lifetime support for Battle Buddy teams.
Rescuing Each Other: Veterans and Dogs United
Meet Your Trainer
Rebecca Price: Professional Trainer with a Personal Mission
Rebecca Price isn’t just a certified dog trainer—she’s someone who understands the healing power of the human-animal bond firsthand.
Professional Credentials
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Tom Rose School For Professional Dog Trainers (June 2023) - One of the most respected service dog training programs in the country
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AKC Certified Evaluator (June 2023)
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Alliance of Therapy Dogs Certified (May 2025)
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GoodPup Trainer Certification (Aug 2025)
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Red Cross Pet First Aid/CPR Certified
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USDA Licensed with $1M liability insurance
Training Experience
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70+ dogs trained for paying customers
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3 service dogs trained for private clients
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100% success rate in behavior modification programs
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6+ shelter dogs adopted through free training programs
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109+ institutional therapy visits since July 2025
Educational Background
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Master’s degree in Organizational Development & Project Management
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Bachelor’s degree in Psychology/Women’s Studies
Rebecca’s Personal Commitment
“I’ve seen what PTSD can do. I’ve experienced the isolation, the anxiety, the feeling that you’ll never be yourself again. Working with dogs saved my life—and I’m dedicated to creating that same healing for other veterans. Every service dog I train isn’t just a job; it’s a sacred responsibility to honor both the veteran’s service and the dog’s potential.”
Training Facility
Where Training Happens: Real Homes, Real Communities
Battle Buddy service dogs are trained in real-world environments that prepare them for life with their veteran partner. Unlike large commercial kennels, our dogs experience training in authentic settings—from home environments to community spaces—ensuring they’re ready for any situation.
Primary Training Facility: Dalmatia BnB
Home-Based Training in Clinton, Missouri
Our primary training facility is Dalmatia BnB, a professional, home-based training center where service dogs live and train in a real family environment. This isn’t a sterile kennel—it’s a home that prepares dogs for the life they’ll live with their veteran partner.
Facility Features
Home-Based Environment - Dogs live in a family home, not cages or kennels - Exposure to real-world sounds, routines, and environments - Comfortable, low-stress training atmosphere - 24/7 supervision and care - Daily interaction with household activities
Temperature-Controlled Spaces - Climate-controlled indoor training areas - Insulated, heated/cooled garage - Comfortable rest areas for downtime - Safe, clean environment year-round
Outdoor Training Areas - Secure 6-foot fenced yard - Agility equipment (tunnel slides, wooden spools, tires, custom A-frame) - Private rental play yard for socialization - Real-world exposure to outdoor environments - Space for physical exercise and enrichment
Capacity & Attention - We train only 2-3 service dogs annually at our primary facility, ensuring each dog receives individualized attention and the highest quality training.
Public Access Training Locations
Training Where Life Happens: Real Stores, Real Streets, Real Life
Service dogs don’t just need to behave in training facilities—they need to be reliable everywhere their veteran goes. That’s why Battle Buddy service dogs train extensively in the actual public spaces veterans navigate every day throughout Clinton and the surrounding region.
Retail & Commercial Locations
Walmart - High-traffic aisles and checkout lines - Shopping cart navigation - Crowded entrances and exits - Automatic doors and loud announcements - Food sections with tempting distractions - Unpredictable customer interactions
Home Depot / Lowes
Large warehouse environment - Loud machinery and power tool sounds - Concrete floors and echoing acoustics - Forklifts and moving equipment - Garden center outdoor/indoor transitions - Staff and customer interactions
Tractor Supply
Agricultural and pet supply environment - Animal feed and product smells - Other animals (chickens, rabbits, etc.) - Farm equipment and rural setting - Outdoor/indoor transitions - Unique rural retail atmosphere
Community & Outdoor Spaces
Clinton Square - Downtown public gathering space - Community events and festivals - Crowds and social gatherings - Outdoor seating and dining areas - Street traffic and pedestrians - Variable noise levels and activity
Local Parks
Off-leash dog distractions - Children playing and running - Picnic areas and gatherings - Wildlife (squirrels, birds, geese) - Open spaces and recall training - Outdoor recreation environments
Local Neighborhoods
Residential sidewalks and streets - Dogs barking from yards - Children on bikes and scooters - Mailmen, delivery drivers, and service workers - Doorbell and knock training - Real home environment scenarios
Additional Public Training Sites
Restaurants & Cafes - Indoor and outdoor dining - Under-table positioning - Food distractions and smells - Server interactions - Tight spaces between tables - Drive-through environments
Gas Stations & Convenience Stores
Quick stops and short-duration tasks - Vehicle entry/exit practice - Small spaces with high traffic - Impulse control around food displays
Parking Lots & Sidewalks
Vehicle navigation and safety - Crosswalks and traffic signals - Distractions from moving cars - Pedestrian traffic - Real-world heeling and focus
Public Events & Gatherings
Community festivals - Farmers markets - Outdoor concerts - Crowded public spaces - Unpredictable environments
Why Real-World Training Matters
Preparation That Makes the Difference
Many service dog programs train exclusively in controlled environments—sterile facilities where dogs learn to behave perfectly in perfect conditions. But life isn’t perfect. Veterans need service dogs who can perform reliably in the chaos of real life.
The Battle Buddy Difference
We Train Where You Live
Your service dog won’t just know how to behave in a training center—they’ll be prepared for: - The overwhelming sensory experience of Walmart on a Saturday - The loud, echoing environment of Home Depot - The unpredictable crowds at Clinton Square events - The distractions of dogs barking in neighborhoods - The temptations of Tractor Supply’s pet section
Real Distractions, Real Reliability By training in actual public spaces, our service dogs learn to: - Maintain focus despite overwhelming distractions - Respond reliably in unpredictable situations - Stay calm when surprised or startled - Perform tasks even when stressed or overstimulated - Generalize their training to any environment
Confidence for Veterans When your service dog arrives, you’ll have confidence knowing they’ve already: - Navigated the exact stores you shop at - Walked the same streets you walk - Experienced the same community spaces you frequent - Proven their reliability in real-world conditions
Training Progression: From Home to Community
Result
A service dog who isn’t just trained—they’re proven in the exact environments where veterans need them most.
Safety & Standards
Professional Standards in Every Location
No matter where training occurs, Battle Buddy maintains the highest professional and safety standards.
Our Commitments:
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USDA Licensed facility and trainer
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$1M Liability Insurance (Liberty Mutual)
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Red Cross Pet First Aid/CPR Certified trainer
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City Licensed pet care provider
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AKC Certified Evaluator oversight
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24/7 emergency protocols in place
Training Environment Standards:
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Temperature-controlled and safe conditions
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Clean, sanitary facilities
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Proper equipment and safety gear
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Emergency veterinary contacts
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Incident documentation and response protocols
Public Access Rights & Responsibilities:
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All training complies with ADA regulations
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Dogs wear training vests for identification
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Respectful of business policies and staff
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Clean-up and courtesy protocols maintained
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Professional representation of service dog community
Specialized Programs
Unique Training for Unique Needs
Deaf Dog Program
We offer specialized training for deaf dogs using visual cues, hand signals, and e-collar vibration for recall. Deaf dogs make exceptional service dogs—they’re highly attentive to visual cues and body language, making them naturally attuned to their handler’s needs.
Program includes: - Visual command training - E-collar vibration recall - Hand signal communication - Weekly owner lessons during training - AKC CGC adaptation for deaf dogs
Scent Work Training
For veterans who benefit from task-oriented activities or need medical alert training, we offer scent work programs using clover scent, whiffle balls, and scent detection techniques.
Ready to See Where the Magic Happens?
Veterans and supporters are welcome to visit our training facilities and see firsthand the professional, compassionate environment where Battle Buddy service dogs are trained. You might even spot us training at Walmart, Home Depot, or Clinton Square!
[Schedule a Visit] [Apply for a Service Dog] [Contact Us]