44225 Mercure Circle, Suite 130 Dulles, VA 20166

​

What makes Veterans Moving Forward unique / different?

Veterans Moving Forward provides service and emotional support dogs to all veterans regardless of generation.   We also provide dogs to veterans dealing with physical and/or mental challenges who were either in combat or who were not wounded in combat.  We pay particular attention to the special needs of each veteran requesting a dog.  The dog is placed specifically with that veteran after receiving specialized training for a specific task that supports the need of that veteran.  Then, once the dog is placed with the veteran, we continue to remain active with the new team to ensure that the veteran is being taken cared for by the new dog.  The veterans provides monthly updates on them, how they’re doing, any health issues, special needs, etc.  We assign a trainer and veterinarian that live close by the new team to personally check on them as well as provide veterinary services.  This lasts 3-6 months after the initial placement of the dog.  These things are what makes VMF unique in our ability to be very successful once we have provided the veteran with their service dog.

​

MISSION: Their Mission is to provide service, emotional support, therapy or skilled companion dogs to veterans with physical and/or mental health challenges. 

​

VISION: Their Vision is to become The premier, national, not-for-profit organization improving the lives of veterans needing service, emotional support, therapy or skilled companion dogs at no cost to the veterans.

​

Who can sign up to get a service dog?

Veterans- VMF provides services to any veteran, of any generation, who has served honorably. The veteran may have physical and/or mental challenges resulting from a military operation or accident, disease subsequent to military service. Veteran must reside in the continental United States, Hawaii or Alaska.

 

What type of Dogs do Veterans Moving Forward provide?

Service Dogs- Tasks include, but are not limited to, retrieval of medications, water bottles or supplies; operation of light switches, opening/closing doors, mobility tasks, seizure and/or medical alerts, PTSD/nightmare interruption.

​

Emotional support Dogs- they help their veteran through everyday emotions while navigating the personal encounters of everyday life.

​

Therapy/facility Dogs- Facility Dogs visit the sick and their distressed family members, giving comfort during stressful times.

​

Companion Dogs- These dogs provide comfort to veterans in their own homes as they interact with family, friends, and the general public. VMF will be offering basic obedience training programs to support building a strong relationship with your pet.

​

How much does it cost?

Free

​

Where does Veterans Moving Forward get their dogs for training?

We work with a group of breeders who have successful track records of providing healthy, sound dogs. 

 

 

How long does it take to get a dog after the veterans has been approved?

Once a veteran has completed their processing and we identify a dog with the potential to be able to train it for the specific task(s) needed to support that individual, it usually takes an additional 3-6 months, including a very specialized 2-3 week training period where the veteran and their dog are trained together under the watchful eye of our head trainer at VMF.

 

Do you have a wait list or first come first serve?

It’s usually “first come, first served” for our selection process.  And yes, we do have a list of those who are in the que for a service dog.

​

How many dogs do you have in training at one time?

Right now, as of 1 June, 2020 we have 7 dogs in various stages of training to be either a Service dog or a Facility Dog.

 

How does Veterans Moving Forward pair your dogs with veterans?

As mentioned above, once a veteran is determined that having a service dog would help them to “Move Forward” with their lives, we begin to identify what specific task or tasks need to be trained with the identified potential service dog for that specific veteran.  Once they have completed their individual training and their team training, the dog is then placed with the veteran.

 

Do you pay for the veterans' travel to you in Dulles, VA for the pairing?

Yes