Local nonprofit uses rescue dogs as service companions for veterans

PHOENIX (AZFamily)—Fulton Homes is teaming up with A Soldier’s Best Friend to provide deserving veterans with rescue dogs trained to be service companions.

The typical cost for a trained service dog can be over $25,000, but this program has made it completely free.

These dogs are carefully selected from local shelters and undergo six to nine months of training to become certified service dogs.

A Soldier’s Best Friend has been able to assist over 400 veterans across Arizona who may be suffering from PTSD or traumatic brain injuries.

One such veteran is Tiffany Batura, a retired Navy veteran who served for four years. Batura is currently recovering from PTSD.

“I had not very many women on my boat,” she said. “The military has changed a lot, but at the time, there was a lot of harassment.”

Batura said because of her PTSD, she used to feel isolated and alone, but that changed when A Soldier’s Best Friend awarded her with her lab named Deadly.

“So far, I’ve noticed that I am more willing to go out in public. I’m not homebound all the time,” Batura said.

If you know a veteran in need who could benefit from the Pets for Vets program, you can nominate them by visiting A Soldier’s Best Friend nomination form.

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