Paws for Patriots

In 2003 one of our Board members became aware of a local young Marine who was blinded by a roadside bomb in Iraq. Upon further investigation, it was discovered that the VA does not provide guide dogs to soldiers. This spearheaded an effort by the Board and our school to bring awareness to top military leaders that we wanted to serve these blinded soldiers. General Tommy Franks was so impressed with Southeastern's Paws for Patriots™ program that he agreed to be the first spokesperson and completed our Public Service Announcement at no charge to Southeastern.

In addition to establishing the program to provide guide dogs to blinded soldiers, we placed a dog named Troy at Walter Reed hospital in 2006 to spread encouragement to soldiers during their grueling physical therapy as they learn to recover from their injuries. We have also placed companion dogs from our Gifted Canines^® program with soldiers who can benefit from the unconditional love of one of our dogs. We are proud to serve our veterans and others with our magnificent dogs.

The Paws For Patriots™ Program

Southeastern Guide Dogs offers the Paws for Patriots™ program to assist veterans who have been blinded and/or otherwise wounded during their service in Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

Since our founding in 1982, Southeastern Guide Dogs has been a proud supporter of American veterans. Over the past 25 years, our expertise in training guide dogs to work with people who have multiple disabilities has led many disabled veterans to seek our services.

Professionally and humanely trained guide dogs are given, at no charge to visually impaired veterans. Soldiers who have endured other injuries are provided with therapy and companion dogs, at no charge, through our Gifted Canines™ program.

The process of training and preparing a successful guide dog team takes almost two years and approximately $40,000. Paws For Patriots™, like all programs at Southeastern Guide Dogs, Inc. receives no governmental funding. We rely solely on the generosity of people like you.