We Save Veteran Lives

For 20 years we have been speeding the recovery and enhancing the lives of wounded warriors through the life-changing bond of a specially trained service dog. Founded in 2006 by Beth Russell, RN, Freedom Dogs is proud to operate the only formal, ongoing partnership of its kind with the Marine Corps’ Wounded Warrior Battalion-West at Camp Pendleton. Through our Partner Program and Partner for Life Program, we provide custom-trained service dogs — completely free of charge — to active-duty service members and veterans healing from PTSD, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and other invisible wounds of war.

Our Mission

Speeding the recovery and enhancing the lives of wounded military heroes through the use of specialty-trained service dogs.

Freedom Dogs is a nonprofit organization devoted to serving wounded members of the military who are being treated for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and/or other physical impairments. Along with our trainers, our specialty service dogs provide both physical and emotional support, helping wounded warriors successfully make the challenging transition back to civilian life, or in some cases, return to active duty.

Working closely with active military and Veterans in Southern California, our organization provides custom-trained dogs through two free programs. The Partner Program pairs a dog and trainer team with a warrior to complement rehabilitation and assist in the recovery process. If needed, the Partner for Life Program matches a dog with a warrior for life.

Partner Program

Through this program, a skilled dog/trainer team pairs up and works with a wounded warrior assigned to them by the Wounded Warrior Battalion – West over a period of about nine months...

Partner for Life Program

In some cases, a warrior will need more long-term support than our Partner Program can provide. This may become apparent after working with a warrior for a period of time. Then, a dog may be placed with this person for the rest of the dog’s life...

How Our Programs Work

Through our Partner Program and Partner for Life Program, Freedom Dogs pairs custom-trained service dogs with wounded warriors — completely free of charge. Each dog is specially trained to meet the individual needs of the warrior, providing both physical assistance and powerful emotional support.

Partner Program

A skilled dog-and-trainer team works with a wounded warrior assigned by the Wounded Warrior Battalion–West over approximately nine months. Working hand-in-hand with the warrior’s medical care providers, the team follows the participant through their transition from military to civilian life, customizing training every step of the way.

The program unfolds in phases:

Initial meetings between the warrior, dog, and trainer to begin building trust.

Weekly classroom sessions where the warrior actively participates in the dog’s training — creating purpose, reducing anxiety and depression, and forging a deep bond.

Gradual public outings (grocery store, doctor appointments, sporting events) with the dog and trainer, helping the warrior feel calmer, safer, more sociable, and less reactive to triggers like loud noises.

Final stage of independence: the warrior takes the dog alone to school, work, or events, returning the dog to the trainer at the end of the day.

Even after the formal program ends, warriors can still request a Freedom Dog for specific outings as needed.

Partner for Life Program

In some cases, a warrior needs more long-term support than the Partner Program can provide. When that becomes clear, a dog is placed with the warrior for the rest of the dog’s life.

Our Unique Partnership & Impact

Since completing a highly successful pilot program in 2009, Freedom Dogs has maintained the only formal, ongoing partnership of its kind with the Marine Corps’ Wounded Warrior Battalion-West at Camp Pendleton. This close collaboration allows us to integrate service dogs seamlessly into the official rehabilitation process, giving warriors the steady support they need to navigate daily challenges and successfully transition back to civilian life — or, in some cases, return to active duty.

Every dog is the result of thousands of hours of expert training, made possible by our trainers, puppy raisers, donors, and the entire Freedom Dogs community.