Veterans living with PTSD or traumatic brain injury are finding renewed confidence, independence, and hope through the life-changing support of specially trained canine companions. Learn how Soldier’s Best Friend is pairing rescued dogs with Veterans to help them thrive.
Returning home after military service often means learning to navigate a new chapter of life while managing the lasting effects of physical or emotional injuries. For hundreds of Veterans across Arizona, that journey has become a little easier thanks to the companionship, support, and unconditional loyalty of a specially trained dog.
Help in the Form of Four Legs
Veterans experiencing isolation, living with physical disabilities, or managing mental health conditions have a new “leash” on life thanks to Soldier’s Best Friend.
The Peoria, Arizona-based nonprofit provides U.S. Veterans living with military service-related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) with service dogs or therapeutic companion dogs. Through the program, Veterans receive the support and training needed to regain independence and navigate civilian life with greater confidence.
More than a Best Friend
Since 2011, Soldier’s Best
Friend has rescued, fostered, and carefully matched homeless dogs with Veterans in need. On June 6, 2026, the organization celebrated a significant milestone with its 500th Veteran-dog pairing and graduation.
As a longtime supporter of Soldier’s Best Friend, TriWest Healthcare Alliance provides training backpacks for Veteran-dog teams. TriWest representatives also attended the organization’s annual Salute to Service Dinner in Phoenix on June 18 to celebrate the milestone alongside Veterans, volunteers, and community partners. Additional celebrations were held throughout the month in Prescott and Tucson.
“We aren’t just pairing dogs with Veterans,” shared Soldier’s Best Friend Development Manager and U.S. Army Veteran Emilio Driscoll. “We are helping them create trust and build confidence. Every paired dog shows a Veteran choosing hope over hopelessness.”
Following each match, Veterans and their dogs train together for six to nine months, learning obedience, navigating public settings, and practicing tasks tailored to the Veteran’s unique PTSD or TBI symptoms. Depending on the Veteran’s needs, dogs may qualify as either Service Dogs or Therapeutic Companion Dogs/Emotional Support Animals.
Specially trained dogs can assist Veterans by:
- Creating space in crowded environments.
- Providing calming physical contact during periods of rising anxiety.
- Alerting Veterans when someone approaches from behind.
- Reminding Veterans to take medications.
According to Soldier’s Best Friend, studies have shown that as many as 80% of Veterans paired with a trained canine companion experience meaningful improvement, with some reducing or eliminating their reliance on medication.
Looking Ahead
Soldier’s Best Friend has ambitious goals for the remainder of 2026. In addition to pairing 125 Veterans with service dogs, the organization hopes to expand support well beyond the initial placement.
That includes providing ongoing dog food and veterinary assistance for program graduates, hosting monthly peer support classes for Veterans and their families, and holding an annual Dog Fair offering vaccinations, rabies shots, and connections to VA and community mental health resources.
The organization also remains committed to supporting Veterans at every stage of their journey. Participants who leave the program are given the opportunity to keep their dog, and Veterans who are not eligible for the program are connected with other community resources that may better meet their needs.
How You Can Help
Soldier’s Best Friend is currently seeking both Veteran applicants and volunteer dog fosters. Whether by opening your home to a rescue dog or helping a Veteran find a life-changing companion, every act of support helps strengthen the organization’s mission.
To learn more about Soldier’s Best Friend, volunteer opportunities, or how to apply for a canine companion, visit the Soldier’s Best Friend website.