Not Just Training. It's a Partnership.

We are thrilled to introduce Maya, our first service-bred dog at Paws That Serve. A heartfelt thank you to our incredible breeder, Kathy Wiecha in Michigan, for supporting us on this journey and entrusting Maya to our care. Maya is already making remarkable progress in many areas, and we are so grateful to be learning alongside her every step of the way. As with all young dogs, her path is still unfolding, and we are committed to giving her the best possible chance to thrive. We also love having her be the face of our program.

We’re thrilled to welcome Cris and Cadence to our owner-trained service dog program! Cadence is already making remarkable strides under the expert guidance of animal behaviorist Ellis Gugel and diabetic alert training led by Ashlee Schwark. In addition to being an incredible teammate, Cris has contributed several beautiful photos featured on our website, showcasing her amazing talent. We’re excited to support this exceptional team as Cadence continues his journey toward achieving his service dog goals.

We’re so happy Scott, a veteran, joined us and that Yuki is now a part of our program. Scott says that Yuki has brought him a sense of calm and stability, especially when anxiety sets in. Their bond is built on mutual trust, and it’s clear how much they depend on each other. Scott shares that Yuki fills a space in his life that had been empty for quite some time.  We’re honored to be part of their journey.

Coco was found abandoned in her home with her daughter. While her daughter was quickly placed due to her young age, Coco remained behind. Fortunately, we were able to rescue her and pair her with her wonderful new owner.. Although Coco did not complete our Service Dog training program, she is now living her best life and is thoroughly spoiled every single day by her new owner Jen.

We are so happy to welcome Margaret and her dog, Smartie, to the team! As a dedicated chaplain, Margaret has spent many years supporting first responders and military personnel through her incredible work with her canine team. Margaret and her dog Waverly were the first certified dog teams trained to assist in crisis and trauma response in Alaska. We are honored to support her and Smartie in the vital work she continues to do.

We are so grateful to have matched our owner surrender, Annie, with our beloved veteran, Jeff. We receive daily updates from Jeff and his wife, who lovingly refer to Annie and Jeff as "peas and carrots." Annie has already begun responding to Jeff’s sleep disturbances caused by his combat-related night terrors. Seeing this bond grow and knowing Annie is making such a difference is heartwarming.

We’ve had so much fun partnering with our friend—and now board member—Kent to work with rescue dog Enzo! Enzo was abandoned at a groomer and never picked up. Thankfully, he was rescued from the shelter and is now making incredible progress as a service dog. His owner says that Enzo is a wonderful boy, and they’ve loved every step of their journey together!

Bowen is our very first Project 2 Heal dog, and we couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity to partner with such a wonderful organization. After completing a month of training at our Virginia location, Bowen has now traveled to Alaska to continue his journey and finish his training there. We’re so proud of how far he’s come and can’t wait to see the difference he will make in the lives he touches.

Halo is our second service-bred dog, generously donated by Wildmoor K-9. She began her journey in our puppy program, where she trained with us until six months old before transitioning into our Owner-Trained Service Dog program with her new best friend, Tanner. Halo is already doing beautifully for him — staying close, remaining calm in public, and responding thoughtfully to his needs. We are so proud of their growing partnership! 

Lola’s life is taking a beautiful new turn. Once a breeding dog, she has now been generously donated to us with the hope that she can bring comfort, support, and joy as a service, facility, or therapy dog. She’s settling in at our Virginia location, where she’ll receive evaluation, training, and plenty of TLC which included a spay and dental care — as she prepares to step into the role meant for her.

We can’t wait to share her journey with you. Follow along as Lola begins this exciting new chapter!

Charlie’s story is one that stays with you. When his family returned from vacation, they never came back for him at the kennel. Left behind and unsure, he found his way to us—and we’re so glad he did.

As our first small-breed rescue, Charlie may be little, but he’s bursting with heart, tenacity, and a love for learning. He’s already thriving in scent work and showing real potential as an medical alert dog.

Allie is a sweet but sometimes shy Golden Retriever who just joined our Owner-Train Program—and she’s already stealing hearts! Her handler, Mary, is a dedicated participant in our program and will be guiding Allie through each stage of her training with support from our team.

Mary has set her sights on preparing Allie for therapy work and canine crisis response—an incredibly meaningful path that brings comfort, calm, and connection to those in need. We’re so excited to support this journey!

Victor has had an amazing start with his owner, Melanie, who absolutely adores him. After the loss of their beloved dog last year, their home felt incredibly empty. Now, with Victor in their lives, they couldn’t be happier. They said, “We love seeing Victor’s progress and enjoy practicing with him every day to help him succeed!

Angie and Almani are the sweetest pair. Angie’s puppy has grown into a big, loving adolescent who sometimes forgets just how big he is and can accidentally trip her up. With guidance and training, Almani is learning to be more aware of his fragile owner and move with greater care and intention.

A toy poodle on a mission to serve. Don’t be fooled by his size, his work ethic is bigger than he is. He retrieves with confidence and enthusiasm, proving that heart matters more than height. His owner, Koko, loves watching his progress.

Lexi is a bright, curious, and affectionate dog with a natural love for people. She approaches the world with confidence and kindness, quickly forming warm connections wherever she goes. In training, she shows impressive focus, a willingness to learn, and a joyful spirit that makes every outing feel a little lighter. We are excited to watch her continue to blossom in the program!

This sweet little dog is growing into a beautiful partnership with her person, who communicates using American Sign Language. Even now, in training, she watches closely, follows her handler’s signs, and stays tuned in with care and intention. great work Cinna!

Tika is a sweet and steady medical alert puppy in training who is already showing beautiful focus for her young age. She loves staying close to her person, watching carefully, and learning quickly. Tika is just beginning her journey toward becoming a thoughtful partner who will one day bring both comfort and confidence to her handler. We can’t wait to watch her grow!

Olivia, who has supported us with design work and trainer gear, has decided to embark on her own journey and recently welcomed the cutest little Cavachon puppy named Hazel. We love being able to support Olivia as she learns, grows, and works with her new pup.

Watch for more!

Watch for more!

Watch for more!

Watch for more!