Frequently asked questions

Answered by a team member at Warrior Freedom Service Dogs

• What is your mission?

  Our Mission is to provide veterans with brain injury, such as PTSD and TBI a means to reconnect with society through the use of trained service dogs.

  Our program is designed to do more than supply a service animal to a disabled veteran. We help our veterans reconnect to the purpose-filled life they deserve; one of doing more than they thought possible. One of restored brotherhood. One of becoming a better brother or sister, son or daughter, father or mother, friend, and contributor to society.
  -Reconnect to the purpose-filled life they deserve
  -Re-engage with society
  -Restore brotherhood
  We strive to give this gift of life and reconnection to the most deserving humans in our society: the American soldier. Our focus is on veterans who have returned home with service induced deep physical, mental, and emotional wounds that make reintegrating into society a significant struggle. Our goal for each veteran who enters our program is to become successful with their new canine life partner.

• How are donations used?

  Giving is not just about making a donation. It is about making a difference! You can make a difference in the Lives of Veterans and our Service Pups Too!

  We are 100% donation based! Our donations pay for everything from Development, Training, Kennel Staff, Puppy Care, Leadership, Growth and Sustainablility to continue to Serve Those Who Served Us! Our Warrior Heroes!

• What can be done with a $100 donation?

  $100 Provides a leash and a collar for one service dog AND also Provides food for one month for one service dog!

• What progress has been made already thanks to your donors?

  We have 26 Warrior Freedom Veteran Graduates, 27 Dogs Rescued and 43 Volunteers! Each of our nation’s heroes experiences are unique; therefore, we constantly evaluate our process in order to offer the best program for each of our veterans.

• What is the history of your organization?

  A Warrior Comes Home
  As a sniper team leader in the United States Army, Matt Weitz served two combat tours in Iraq. When he returned home, Matt deeply struggled with the effects of Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS). He was prescribed medications for his disability that led to a five-year battle with substance abuse. Matt, realizing the severity of his addiction, sought rehabilitation. During this process, he considered how a service animal might help him reconnect with society. Despite the root of his prescribed medications and subsequent addiction, Matt’s applications for a service animal were repeatedly denied.

  God intervened and changed both Matt and Adam Keith’s lives forever in a place you may least expect: a hardware store.
  While shopping, Matt met Adam, the owner of the store and a local dog kennel with years of experience professionally training hunting retrievers. Matt mentioned he was looking for a dog to help him cope with his PTS. Without hesitation, Adam offered him one of his puppies. Matt was introduced to his new partner, an eight-week old Labrador. Upon meeting, Matt could only think of one name for the puppy he knew would change his life: Freedom.

  On their second night together, while Matt endured yet another nightmare, Freedom woke him and saved him from reliving the trauma of his past. Matt shared the experience with Adam. Together, they considered how Adam’s puppies might benefit other veterans who are struggling upon returning home.

  Adam contacted his kennel customers to see what, if any, resources may be available. A flood of responses poured in. It was obvious that God had much bigger plans than either of them realized one day in the hardware store.

  In 2014, Operation Freedom Dogs was born.
  While the organization officially launched in the fall, the group marks the official start date as March 26 in memory of SPC. Gregory Brian Rundell, a comrade of Matt’s who was lost outside of Taji, Iraq on March 26, 2008. The memory of Greg and so many others has never been forgotten as we continue to serve those who were able to come home only to suffer from very real but hidden wounds.

  In the years since, Operation Freedom Dogs, now Warrior Freedom Service Dogs, has climbed to new heights. The all-volunteer organization obtained 501c3 status and formed a board of directors to guide it. With incredibly talented volunteers at the helm, the opportunity to help struggling veterans suffering the side effects of war has never been greater. As we continue to grow and minister to those who were able to come home, we hold dear the memory of the ones who will never be forgotten.

  The opportunity to help struggling veterans suffering from the effects of war has never been greater. With new sponsorship from local business and industry, the ability to impact our veteran and civilian communities has suddenly become an obtainable dream! Please consider supporting Warrior Freedom as we strive to help a long waiting list of struggling Veterans.

  ​Join us as we build this worthy organization and serve those who defended us.

• How Can I Help?

  GET INVOLVED
  If you are interested in becoming part of a team that strives to be caring, humble, loving, smart, patient, outward-thinking, hardworking, and patriotic… take a look at our volunteer opportunities! We are blessed with this opportunity to make such a significant difference in the world. Change only happens if we do it together. Due to the nature of the struggle we are serving, we are very careful in matching our volunteers to the tasks it takes to run our organization.

• What Can I do as a Volunteer?

  WFSD Volunteer Opportunities:
  Foster Home
  We need two types of Fosters: Weekend and Full-time. You provide: A caring loving home; Training exercise; Enrichment Play; Transportation to training & Vet; Social outings. We provide: MOST EVERYTHING ELSE.

  APPLY TODAY TO BECOME A WFSD FOSTER
  Training Assistant
  This volunteer position requires successful completion of two Level 1 and two Level 2 class sessions as a Teacher Training Assistant, as well as required reading material. Volunteers must be 18 or older.

  Fundraising
  Fundraising volunteers will work directly with and as directed by the fundraising committee to garner donations, estate planning, etc.
  Grant Writing
  Grant writing volunteers will work directly with and as directed by the Fundraising and Marketing Committee to seek and compose grant proposals and possible government funding for which we may qualify. This person is also responsible for assisting the Committee in reporting data to the grantor.

  Publicity & Advertising
  This volunteer will work with and as directed by the Fundraising and Marketing Committee to advertise events, flyers, etc.

  Volunteer Coordination
  A volunteer coordinator will help gather and organize volunteers and prioritize duties at events as directed by Volunteer Committee.

  Administrative Duties
  This person will complete various office tasks as directed by board members.

  Off-Site Event Assistance
  This volunteer will assist in the setup and breakdown of events off our campus.

  Transportation
  Transportation volunteers will transport animals to training sessions, events and veterinary appointments, supplies for training, and other various errands. This position requires copy of driver’s license and proof of insurance.

  Photography & Videography
  This volunteer will photograph and shoot events and training sessions as directed by the organization. All photos and videos are property of the organization and may not be published or shared without express written consent of the director of Warrior Freedom Service Dogs.

  Event Planning
  Event planning volunteers will research and secure event venues as directed by the organization. This person will also coordinate and execute all aspects of the event as directed by the Marketing Committee.