Celebrating Progress: Updates on Our Veterans and Their Service Dog Journeys

It has been a while since our last update, and we are excited to share the latest news about the veterans in our Warriors Hope family. Over the past year, six veterans have joined us, each making remarkable strides alongside their service dogs. These partnerships are more than training sessions—they are stories of resilience, growth, and hope.

Our newest member, Jon, brings a unique story. He served with the 147th and was among the first units from South Dakota deployed to Kuwait. Jon and his family have a golden doodle currently being evaluated for PTSD service dog training. This new journey holds great promise, and we look forward to sharing their progress.

Rachael and Kona’s Journey

Rachael and her service dog Kona are doing well. Kona has earned the Good Citizen Certification, a milestone that reflects excellent behavior and training. The pair spends time walking and practicing daily skills, reinforcing the tools they have learned.

Their routine includes:

• Daily walks to build stamina and social skills

• Consistent use of training tools to maintain obedience

• Engaging in public outings to strengthen Kona’s confidence

  
  

This steady progress shows how important daily practice is for maintaining a strong bond and effective service skills.

Joe and Max Working Toward Certification

Joe and Max continue to make great strides. They work closely with Denise in one-on-one public outings, focusing on real-world scenarios. Their goal is to prepare for the Good Citizen Certified Testing, which will mark a significant achievement in their training.

Key focus areas for Joe and Max include:

• Navigating busy public spaces calmly

• Responding reliably to commands amid distractions

• Building confidence in unfamiliar environments

  
  

Their dedication is clear, and the personalized training sessions are helping them move steadily toward certification.

DJ and Ta’Challa Nearing Final Stage

DJ and Ta’Challa are progressing quickly through their training. Currently in level 4, the final stage, they are preparing for the Good Citizen Certified Testing. This phase involves refining skills and ensuring consistency in various settings.

Highlights of their current work:

• Mastering advanced obedience commands

• Practicing in diverse environments to generalize skills

• Strengthening the bond to support DJ’s needs effectively

  
  

Their hard work is paying off, and they are on track to complete this important milestone soon.

Brandon and Skip’s Strong Partnership

Brandon and Skip are excelling in their training. They are in Tier 4, the final phase, and Skip has already earned the Good Citizen Certification. This duo exemplifies what consistent effort and teamwork can achieve.

Their training includes:

• Advanced public access skills

• Reliable response to commands in challenging situations

• Building trust and communication for daily support

  
  

Brandon and Skip’s success is inspiring and sets a great example for other veterans and their service dogs.

Scott and Lady’s Exciting Progress

Scott and Lady are currently in Level 3, working toward the Good Citizen Certified Testing. Lady is a friendly dog who loves to meet new people. Scott and Lady are focusing on controlling her excitement during public outings, which is an important skill for service dogs.

Their training focuses on:

• Managing Lady’s social enthusiasm in public

• Practicing calm behavior around strangers

• Reinforcing obedience commands consistently

  
  

This pair has moved quickly through the first three training sessions, showing great potential for mastering the next steps.

!Eye-level view of a veteran walking with a golden doodle service dog on a quiet neighborhood street

Looking Ahead to 2026

We are excited to announce that several events are already scheduled for 2026. These gatherings will provide opportunities for veterans and their service dogs to connect, learn, and celebrate their progress together as well as the community.

Stay tuned for announcements and details about these events. We encourage all veterans and supporters to participate and continue building this strong network.

Our veterans and their service dogs are making incredible progress. Each partnership reflects dedication, patience, and the power of teamwork. We are proud to support these journeys and look forward to sharing more updates as they continue to grow.

If you are interested in learning more about service dog training or want to support our veterans, please reach out. Together, we can help these teams thrive and build brighter futures.