09/28/2025
Good morning! Thought I would hop on here and share a little about us and our programs as its become a popular question these last couple weeks by many. We have THREE programs(BATTLE BUDDY, BROTHER AT ARMS-SERVICE DOG AND WINGMAN-BRING YOUR OWN DOG) within our organization. If one does not fit maybe the others will. Below are a little bit about each program and then few of the qualifications.
We carefully select dogs from animal shelters, rescues, breeders and families across the state of Michigan, evaluating them for the behaviors and characteristics needed to become exceptional dogs for our program. Our training process is unique in that the veteran is the primary handler and trainer of their dog from day one. This involvement creates a deep bond, allowing the veteran to build trust, confidence, and communication with their dog. 95% of our program is the Veteran and the other 5% is Mission 22 Service Dogs trainers guiding, educating and setting up for success.
BATTLE BUDDY- Companion: is a dog that does not work, providing only companionship as a pet, rather than usefulness by doing specific tasks. A battle buddy is not a SERVICE DOG and does not have rights in non pet friendly facilities or protected by ADA. Our battle buddies are required to complete our obedience program which sets them up as success as a pet then are released.
BROTHERS IN ARM -SERVICE DOGS:
Our organization is regulated by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), we will focus on training the dog to do specific tasks that will mitigate the Veteran’s PTSD diagnosed symptoms. Some PTSD task we train for are: Deep pressure therapy, nightmare interruption, managing social situations, panic attacks, and list of many other task. This program is a little more intense being a weekly commitment for approx. 14-16 months. We are very committed to having high expectations before releasing as a Service Dog thru our program.
Studies have show that When Veterans ‘earn’ their service dog by being taught to train their own dog, they experience on average a 52% reduction in their symptoms by the time they graduate, and other significant quality of life benefits.
**We do not provide Service Dogs for legally blind, hearing impaired, diabetes alert, seizures,mobility
or other specialty medical service dogs.**
WINGMAN - BRING YOUR OWN DOG:
For some of our veterans a special bond has already formed with their pups in their home. Our Bring Your Own Dog program caters to this unique circumstance. Upon acceptance into our program, the veteran's dog will go through an evaluation to determine if it is suitability for service dog training.
The pup must meet certain criteria:
Must be younger than 18 months old
Be 50 lbs. or larger full grown
Have its basic manners of sit, down, stay, recall, loose leash
Spayed or neutered
Letter of good bill of health from a veterinarian, including up-to-date vaccinations & rabies and monthly preventatives
No history of aggression, resource guarding or other undesirable behaviors
Understand that NOT all breeds are cut out for service work and your dog may not be accepted based on this
QUALIFICATION:
Veteran of the united states armed forces (active service members and family members do not qualify)
Honorable / General discharged -DD214
Percentage rating letter
Letter from physician, counselor, or VA stating a Dog is beneficial to you and your everyday needs along with a PTSD Diagnoses
