About Shelter to Service

Shelter to Service is a program of Shelter Guardians, Inc., a non-profit working out of Salisbury. It is not a commercial trainer, and what it does is narrow and specific: "Shelter to Service pairs rescued dogs with Veterans and then provides an extensive training program for the dog to become a service dog for that Veteran."

What a veteran receives

The program states there is no financial cost to a qualifying veteran. That covers training, equipment, yearly routine veterinary care, and training support for the life of the dog, funded by donations.

How the matching works

Eligible veterans in need of a dog are screened through home visits and other measures, before any pairing, to make sure a service dog will be safe in the home. A veteran who already owns a dog can have that dog trained instead, provided it is a rescue and passes a service dog evaluation.

What the program is for

The stated purpose runs both ways – giving an honorable purpose to a rescued dog, and helping the veteran form a bond that the program describes as a lifeline. Its own summary is "Saving Heroes at Both Ends of the Leash".

How to engage with it

The site has an Application page and a Who We Serve page. Support is taken by card, PayPal, Venmo, an Amazon wishlist, or check to Shelter Guardians, Inc.