Founded in 2012 by vet Ken Knabenshue, who’d trained his own service dog after a car accident, the Lawrence County-based nonprofit Working Dogs for Vets works with more than 100 shelters around the country and dozens of volunteer trainers. The former shelter dogs are paired with qualifying vets, who agree to participate in a year or more of training. The success rate is astounding: The average client is on 10 to 15 medications when beginning the program; 81 percent reduce or eliminate medication post-graduation. There is a 95 percent reduction in the occurrence of nightmares and night terrors and a 98 percent reduction in suicidal thoughts. Before receiving their service dog, 85 percent of participants reported that symptoms associated with PTSD played a major role in their inability to enjoy activities. That drops to 5 percent after graduation. Knabenshue says WDFV wants to save lives on both sides of the leash, and there’s no doubt it’s working.
Best Service Animal Provider
Working Dogs for Vets
Working Dogs for Vets
