America’s VetDogs & Team Foster Partner to Bring Accredited, Specially Trained Service Dogs to Disabled Veterans Free of Charge

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Philadelphia, PA and Smithtown, NY (May 14, 2024) – America's VetDogs, a leading national nonprofit provider of assistance dogs to veterans and first responders with disabilities, and Team Foster, which raises money to provide accredited, life-saving service dogs to injured and disabled Veterans, today announced a partnership to help those who have served our country honorably live with dignity and independence through the transformative impact of specially trained service dogs.

America’s VetDogs breeds, raises, trains and places assistance dogs for veterans, active-duty military, and first responders with disabilities at no cost to the individuals being served. Team Foster, which has raised more than $1.8 million to serve veterans in need, will add America’s VetDogs to its training partner organizations. In commemoration of Military Appreciation Month in May, Team Foster has made its first financial contribution to America’s VetDogs in the amount of $25,000 while providing opportunities to participate in annual fundraising and awareness events including the Ruff Ride 24-hour spin relay and the Foster 100 cycling event.

“The veteran suicide rate is 57 percent higher than those who haven’t served, often as the result of PTSD and related mental health issues,” said Nick Liermann, Army Veteran and founder of Team Foster. “Service dogs save lives and America’s VetDogs is among the largest and most highly regarded providers of service dogs in the nation. We look forward to working together in the fight to reduce veteran suicide, to increase awareness about the power of service dogs, and to advocate for supporting the health and well-being of veterans from all eras nationwide.”

Team Foster was founded in honor of Captain Erick Foster, who sacrificed everything for his teammates. Erick was killed in action in Iraq in 2007 while serving with the 82nd Airborne Division.

“We are honored to serve so many people who have given so much of themselves for our nation, and we look forward to being able to help more of these heroes in partnership with Team Foster,” said John Miller, president and CEO, America’s VetDogs. “It costs more than $50,000 to produce, train, and place one service dog, and we provide our services free of charge. Our nation’s veterans have earned the right to Live Without Boundaries, and this collaboration is a prime example of how two like-minded organizations can make a greater impact by working together toward a shared vision.”

America’s VetDogs offers service dogs for those with physical disabilities and mobility issues; PTSD service dogs to help mitigate the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder; guide dogs for individuals who are blind or have low vision; hearing dogs for those who have lost their hearing; seizure response dogs; and facility dogs to provide animal-assisted therapy at military and VA hospitals, military installations, VA nursing homes, and more. America’s VetDogs was recently honored with the prestigious 2024 Community Service Citizens Award from the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. Each year, the award recognizes a community-based nonprofit organization for its exceptional impact or mission in supporting our nation’s military service members and families.

About Team Foster

Founded in Philadelphia in 2014, Team Foster (www.TeamFoster.org) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit honoring the legacy of Captain Erick Foster (KIA) by raising money to provide accredited, life-saving service dogs to injured and disabled Veterans. Team Foster FUNDS highly trained and accredited service dogs for injured and disabled Veterans at no cost to the Veteran and provides lifetime support to its Veteran–service dog teams. Team Foster brings civilians, Veterans and service dogs together to provide the resources that our government does not. Team Foster ADVOCATES for Veterans and their service dogs in the community, workplace, and the legislature. Team Foster works to achieve the best possible training for service dogs and fair treatment of Veterans. Team Foster EDUCATES and raises awareness across the nation about the challenges our Veterans face, the power of service dogs, and the life-saving resource that these properly trained and accredited animals can provide.

About America’s VetDogs

For more than 20 years, America’s VetDogs (www.VetDogs.org) has trained and placed guide and service dogs to provide independence, enhanced mobility, and companionship to veterans with disabilities from all eras. In 2015, America’s VetDogs opened its programs to first responders, including fire, police, and emergency medical personnel. America’s VetDogs is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization founded by the Guide Dog Foundation and serves individuals from across the United States. America’s VetDogs relies on contributions from generous individuals, corporations, service clubs, and foundations to fund its mission to help those who have served our country live with dignity and independence. It costs more than $50,000 to breed, raise, train, and place one assistance dog, but America’s VetDogs provides its services completely free of charge to the individual. America’s VetDogs has been accredited by both the International Guide Dog Federation and Assistance Dogs International.

Media Contacts:          

America’s VetDogs
Allison Storck
Jamie Shrewsbury
631-930-9000
Allison@VetDogs.org
Jamie.Shrewsbury@VetDogs.org

Team Foster
Nick Liermann
Jessica Wisniewski-Hagen
267-825-4617
484-542-3156
nick@teamfoster.org
jesshagen@teamfoster.org

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