Connecting Our Veterans with
Life-Changing Service Dogs
About Us
All dogs are special, but Medically Trained Service Dogs are even more so, as they offer hope to the most deserving people – our Veterans who were always ready to sacrifice themselves for our safety and wellbeing. The aftermath of military service often comes with deep wounds – physical, mental and emotional. These dogs assist these Veterans cope and re-shape themselves as productive human beings.
MORE ABOUT US
The McDonald, PA Service Dog Campus plays a crucial role in training Service Dogs, and your generous donation can significantly enhance the quality of life for Veterans with disabilities.
The Life Changing Service Dogs For Veterans’ mission is an extraordinary initiative. Consider contributing your time and effort to assist in our critical work of providing Service Dogs to Veterans in need.
Let’s come together to sponsor a Service Dog for a Veteran, an act of kindness that can significantly enhance their quality of life and provide the companionship and support they need.
Since being paired with TJ four short months ago, it's like the world has opened up for me again! Her constant companionship and bond means the world to me, and I am growing in my confidence after a long dark journey. It feels amazing to know that I can make choices about how I want to spend my time and plan future goals. I am truly living life again instead of just getting through the days and only leaving my house when necessary. Now WE are having fun together!
When I returned from Vietnam, I was very angry! I was not in a good place. I had anger issues, short tempered, drinking all the time, I would fight at the drop of a dime! Didn't trust people. I hated to be in crowds, I was always looking over my shoulder. Thrown in jail because of fighting all the time. My children were young, and my wife was scared. I was going down the wrong path. Thank God for Bucco! He wakes me up when I have nightmares. He calms me when I start to get angry. He’s always by my side now. He and I are just tight. I look forward to being with him because I just can’t sit still, we're always busy now.
"Since Foxy came into my life, everything has changed. Trained by the best at Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, Foxy and I have been inseparable since we were paired in May 2020. As a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, I faced numerous challenges after my service. Life was tough, and I felt like I had lost my way. But then Foxy entered my life, and it was as if a switch had been flipped.
With Foxy by my side, I've found the strength and confidence to navigate daily life once again. She's more than just a Service Dog; she's my companion, my confidante, and my lifeline. She provides practical assistance when I need it, but it's her unwavering emotional support that has truly transformed my life. Foxy has given me a reason to smile every day, to look forward to each new dawn.
Our bond is deep and meaningful, a testament to the incredible healing power of Service Dogs. Her loyalty and dedication are unfaltering, and in recognition of her extraordinary impact, she was honored as the Service Dog of the Year by Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs in 2022. With Foxy, I feel like I'm living again, not just existing. She's my beacon of hope, and for that, I am forever grateful."
"Before receiving Navy, I spent years fighting a losing battle with nightmares, flashbacks, and debilitating panic attacks. I rarely left my house. That changed when I was paired with Navy. I finally started to be able to go out in public. At first, not having a dog I was apprehensive. I wasn’t sure. I started taking chances: I’m going.to see if I can do this. And every time I did, she was right there with me. Once paired and given Navy’s leash, I was informed from this day going forward, I'm not going to be without Navy. And I couldn’t wrap my mind around that. She’s been to Hawaii, and a cruise to Alaska, always by my side."
"It may sound over the top, but in some ways, it is a matter of life and death. I’ve been to the edge with my thoughts. I struggled with PTSD to the point of thinking of becoming one of the 22! I also have mobility issues and Vito helps me to feel more confident when we go outside. Vito keeps me active, keeps me moving. He is the most amazing dog and as a result, I’ve reduced my PTSD medications. He’s given me the confidence to speak at a Mental Health Clinic in the VA. Vito is a blessing."
"Having contemplated suicide, I was suffering from the invisible wounds and scars of post-traumatic stress disorder. The nightmares, anxiety in crowds and daytime panic attacks that made me reluctant to leave my home. I was going to leave it up to God. My wife and I were praying for a good dog. God winked at us, and I got a dog named Faith. She is everything I could ask for. Faith senses when I’m having a nightmare. Faith lies on my chest and licks my hand, and I am soothed into a restful sleep."
"When I returned from Afghanistan and was discharged from the Army, all I wanted was to live unnoticed. The transition to civilian life, coupled with a diagnosis of a seizure disorder, was more difficult than being deployed. I kept to myself, I wanted to be invisible. I never pictured myself having a Service Dog, but within three days of meeting Bradley, we were in sync. It’s hard to remember what it was like without him. Medical assistance aside, Bradley helped transform my personality and restore my independence. I look back on how much I’ve changed. Bradley has enabled me to graduate from Duquesne University and earn a master’s degree and launch my carrier as a high school teacher. I wouldn’t trade him for the world."
"I was very depressed and became less and less motivated and nearly incapable of going outside. I eventually withdrew from everything and everyone. Once paired with Lash, I have immensely improved my life. Lash gives me hope and a reason to leave my house and be active again. I considers Lash to be my absolute best friend. As Lash has eased so many of my crippling anxieties and debilitating depression."
This video showcases the remarkable journey of Life Changing Service Dogs For Veterans. Set your reminders for tomorrow at 12 noon to join us on YouTube, click on the video link below for a truly inspiring experience.
This video features heartwarming stories from our dedicated members, selfless volunteers, and resilient Service Dog Recipients. Discover the profound impact these amazing dogs have on the lives of Veterans, helping them conquer the challenges of PTSD, TBI and other visible and invisible injuries. You’ll also learn about the exciting new Western PA campus initiative by Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, designed to tackle the urgent need for Service Dogs for our heroes.
Stay updated on the latest news about Life Changing Service Dogs. From fundraising efforts and Service Dog news to our latest events and updates on the Veterans we’ve helped, you’ll find a range of helpful and interesting information about our mission and the impact it makes each day.
A Day of Food, Fellowship, and Fundraising for Veterans
Date & Time:
🕑 Sunday, 14:00 – 19:00 (GMT-04:00)
📍 Thomas Presbyterian Church – 1068 Linden Rd., Eighty Four, PA
Get ready for a day of heart, horsepower, and hometown spirit! The Thomas Presbyterian Church Pig Roast & Car Show 2025 is rolling in with hundreds of classic to modern cars, mouth-watering barbecue, and high-energy live music — all for a cause that truly matters.
This year’s event proudly benefits Life Changing Service Dogs For Veterans, a 100% volunteer-run organization based in Pittsburgh. Every dollar raised goes directly to transforming lives — no salaries, no overhead, just service and support.
🎸 Live Music:
Don’t miss the featured performance by Foxy’s Moxie (a.k.a. The Collective Band) — a dynamic group of 5 band members, 3 being disabled Veterans and of course every ones favorite, Craig’s incredible Medical Service Dog, Foxy. Their story of survival and purpose brings the heart of this mission to life, one powerful note at a time.
🚗 Event Highlights:
Car Show with dash plaques for the first 100 cars
Chinese Auction packed with prizes
Delicious BBQ and family-friendly fun
Live Entertainment with a mission-driven message
Come hungry. Bring your family. Support our heroes.
🔗 For more information, visit thomaspres.org/events or call 724-941-8910.
ALL EVENTSDiscover the incredible work of Life Changing Service Dogs For Veterans through our captivating photo gallery. See the profound impact we create at countless events in the area.
