Veterans Moving Forward, Inc.

Goal: $50,000.00

Specific Need

Every day 22 -24 veterans commit suicide; service dogs are essential in helping veterans navigate life’s challenges and engage in activities many take for granted— the long-term physical and emotional impact of a specially trained service dog is immeasurable.

VMF relies entirely on donations, fundraising, and grants to fund our operations and programs. 80% of all donations go directly back into the training of the service dogs. One service dog requires approximately 2 years of training and costs between $40,000 to $50,000 for raising, feeding, training, and preparing these four-legged heroes for a lifetime of service.

Since 2019, we have placed 13 dogs with their Veterans across the United States. We currently have 11 currently undergoing training to be placed with future Veterans and in 2024 we are looking to increase the number of dogs to meet the needs of our Veterans.

With your support, we can increase the number of veterans who will gain the sense of purpose, comfort, and independence they deserve and help them move forward with a "new leash on life".

Mission

To provide service, therapy/facility, and emotional support dogs to veterans with physical and/or mental health challenges at no cost to the veteran or their family.

Profile

What Our Service Dogs Can Do for a Veteran

VMF Service Dogs are trained to respond to emotional distress and help veterans to get past episodes ranging from seizures to panic attacks, offering comfort, peace, and security to their Vet to get through the episode.
They can assist with physical tasks such as opening doors, turning on lights, and fetching medication.
They can help Veterans reduce or eliminate the need for prescription medication and prevent veteran suicide.

The independence and feeling of normalcy these dogs provide are crucial to not only changing but also saving the lives of veterans who have lost hope.

What Our Veterans Say

I have witnessed hardened combat vets smiling for the first time in weeks and highly guarded individuals suddenly engaging with their peers over a common admiration for Gil’s impressive service to their group. Many of these patients see him as their hero; a little ironic given that they are heroes to us all.” - Katie from Tactical Recovery
"If not for Jug, I would either be inpatient or dead; having committed suicide." - D'Angelo
"He alerts to me during stressful times, he keeps me physically active and mentally present in the moment." - Tim, on Service Dog Baldy
"Zamp continues to remain by my side and has been a key to my progress through the four surgical procedures I have undergone since June 23, 2021 (back). In the past I would get deeply depressed and take too many pain pills, thoughts of suicide would become dangerous. However, Zamp has changed this, while I did get somewhat depressed after the first surgery - it was nothing like previous bouts. I have been able to refrain from pain pills quicker and no longer have the suicidal thoughts pervading my thoughts." - Doc
"When a world is so full of darkness having Charlie with me brings out the sunshine." - Nicole
"Jacob has been of great assistance. He is always close to me and notices when I am stressed out or angry. He checks on me during the day and places his head on my leg. My quality of life has increased by far, I cannot imagine my everyday without Jacob." -Pedro