Hero Pups is a New Hampshire-based, non-profit organization that pairs support dogs with veterans and first responders throughout New England who have been diagnosed with service-related psychological challenges. Laura Barker founded the organization after her son was wounded in Afghanistan. Hero Pups was founded on the belief that since our Heroes have already given so much, it’s the least we can do to provide them a companion to help them lead a happier life, free of charge. Hero Pups received 501(c)(3) status in 2016. The program is headquartered on 50-acres of private, rent-free land in New Hampshire. The organization chooses to focus on the dogs and Heroes – not fancy swimming pools or career aspirations. Hero Pups is 100 percent volunteer-run with no paid staff.
20 Portsmouth Ave #127
Stratham NH 03885
Phone: (603) 397-7444
Email: HeroPupsinc@yahoo.com
Website: https://heropups.com
Operation Delta Dog is a nonprofit based out of Hollis, NH that rescues homeless dogs and trains them to become service dogs for veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Military Sexual Trauma (MST), and other related challenges. Most service dog training organizations use trainers or prison training programs to train their service dogs, and then veterans must travel to their facility for a short period of time at their own expense to learn how to work with their new service animal. The veteran then returns home with the animal and little is done by way of follow-up with their success or struggles. Operation Delta Dog takes a hands-on role in the training of their service dogs and continues support throughout the life of the dog and beyond. Veterans are matched with a dog after the dog goes through an extensive twelve-week foundation training program with Operation Delta Dog’s training director, dog trainers and kennel assistants. Veterans then start attending classes with their dog at least twice per week to make sure the match is a good one for both the veteran and dog. After another four to six weeks, if the match works, the dog will move in with the Veteran and they will continue to come to classes together, have one-on-one home training sessions, and attend educational opportunities and meetings with veteran caseworkers until the dog is fully trained.
19G Clinton Drive
Hollis, NH 03049
Phone: (603) 921-5253
Email: info@operationdeltadog.org
Website: https://operationdeltadog.org
Chris’ Hero Pets
IN MEMORY OF CHRISTOHER ALLEN JOURNEAU
03/10/1987 – 06/22/2010
“In Chris’ honor, and to bring awareness to PTSD, I’ve teamed up with Hero pups to create Chris’ Hero Pets, a program that pays for companion animals for our Veterans. Six months after returning home from serving in the Army fighting in Iraq, my son, Chris Journeau, only 23, took his own life. He was showing common signs of PTSD, such as drinking and anger issues, but not being familiar with PTSD, I dismissed them. I wanted to do something positive to help veterans and their families be more aware of PTSD, and try to prevent another one from taking their life. In my heart, I feel that if Chris had a companion animal to bond with when he came home, the outcome could have been completely different.” – Jo-Ann Clark, Gold Star Mom of Chris Journeau
By partnering with a network of shelters, Chris’ Hero Pets will take some of the financial burden off of veterans seeking a companion by paying their adoption fees. They are excited to offer a resource to more veterans who may not be looking for a support dog, but still feel they could benefit from having a companion by their side. This program is available to all local veterans.
20 Portsmouth Ave #127
Stratham NH 03885
Phone: (603) 397-7444
Email: HeroPupsinc@yahoo.com
Website: https://heropups.com