Battle Buddy
Service Dogs for Missouri veterans
Rescuing Each Other: Veterans and Dogs United
Battle Buddy connects veterans in Missouri with professionally trained service dogs to support mental health, PTSD, and daily independence—creating healing partnerships where both veteran and dog find purpose, hope, and a second chance.
Join the Battle Buddy Battalion
For just $10 a month, you'll become part of a dedicated Battalion committed to ensuring veterans receive professionally trained service dogs at no cost.
Every member strengthens the mission.
Every donation helps save two lives.
Amount
$10
Other
0/100
Comment (optional)
501(c)(3) Donations are Tax Exempt
The Power of Mutual Rescue
At Battle Buddy, we believe in the transformative power of mutual rescue. Our nation’s veterans have served with courage, sacrifice, and unwavering dedication. Now, it’s our turn to serve them.
Through the sacred bond between veteran and service dog, something extraordinary happens: both lives are transformed. Veterans struggling with PTSD, anxiety, and the invisible wounds of service find a loyal companion who understands without words. Dogs—many from shelters or in need of purpose—discover their calling as healers, protectors, and partners.
Every service dog we place creates two success stories: a veteran who finds support, independence, and hope, and a dog who finds purpose, love, and a forever home.
This is mutual rescue. This is Battle Buddy.
Three Steps to Your New Partner
Step 1: Apply
Submit Your Application
Veterans complete a comprehensive application including military service verification, mental health needs assessment, and living situation details. Our team reviews each application with care and respect for your service and your story.
Timeline: Applications reviewed within 2 weeks
Step 2: Match & Train
Professional Training Begins
Every Battle Buddy receives individualized training based on the dog's abilities and the needs of the veteran. Dogs progress through obedience, manners, public access, and service-dog foundations before being matched with a veteran.
Once matched, the veteran becomes an active part of the training process. Together, the veteran and dog continue building communication, public-access skills, and disability-specific tasks at a pace appropriate for their individual partnership.
Each team advances when they demonstrate the skills, confidence, and reliability needed to move forward. There is no one-size-fits-all timeline. Each veteran-and-dog team progresses at its own pace and graduates when the partnership demonstrates the skills and reliability required by the Battle Buddy program.
Timeline: Training is progress-based, not time-based
Step 3: Lifelong Support
Your Partnership Begins
After placement, you receive comprehensive go-home training, a detailed care manual, and ongoing support. We don’t just place a dog—we build a partnership that lasts a lifetime. Follow-up training, resources, and our community are always available.
Timeline: Lifetime support and follow-up
Two Lives, One Mission: Healing Together
What makes Battle Buddy different?
We understand that rescue goes both ways.
Our service dogs come from shelters, rescues, or situations where they needed a second chance. These dogs have incredible potential—intelligence, loyalty, and heart—but they need purpose and direction.
When we match a veteran with a service dog, we’re not just training an animal to perform tasks. We’re creating a partnership built on mutual need, mutual respect, and mutual healing.
The veteran receives:
A loyal companion who provides 24/7 support - Independence to navigate daily life with confidence - Relief from PTSD symptoms, anxiety, and isolation - A reason to get up each morning - Unconditional love and non-judgmental presence.
The dog receives:
A forever home with someone who needs them - Purpose and meaningful work - Professional training and enrichment - A bond that gives their life meaning - The chance to be a hero!
This is why we say: Rescuing Each Other: Veterans and Dogs United.
Join the Mission: Create Double the Impact
Every donation, every volunteer hour, every sponsorship creates a rescue story—twice over.
Support Option 1: Donate
Your Gift Changes Two Lives
When you donate to Battle Buddy, you’re not just supporting a veteran—you’re creating a partnership that transforms two lives. Your contribution funds professional training, veterinary care, equipment, and ongoing support.
-
$50 - Provides one week of food and supplies
-
$100 - Covers veterinary health screening
-
$500 - Supports professional service dog training and care
-
$7,000 - Sponsors a complete service dog partnership
Support Option 2: Volunteer
Share Your Time, Multiply the Impact
We need passionate volunteers to help socialize and walk dogs, support fundraising events, assist with administrative tasks, and spread the word about our mission.
[Learn About Volunteer Opportunities]
Support Option 3: Sponsor a Service Dog
Become a Partnership Sponsor- $7000 Donation
Sponsor a service dog partnership and receive updates throughout the training process, recognition on our website, and the joy of knowing you’ve changed two lives forever.
Support Option 4: Corporate Partnerships
Partner with Purpose
Does your company support veterans or animal welfare? Partner with Battle Buddy through employee giving programs, matching gifts, event sponsorships, or in-kind donations.
Why Choose Battle Buddy?
Professional Excellence
-
AKC Certified Evaluator and Tom Rose School trained professional
-
Alliance of Therapy Dogs Certified Handler
-
Red Cross Pet First Aid/CPR Certified
-
USDA Licensed with $1M liability insurance
-
100% success rate in behavior modification
Personalized Training
-
Home-based training environment
-
Small capacity ensures individual attention
-
Training tailored to each veteran’s specific needs
-
Positive reinforcement methodology
-
24/7 care and monitoring
Transparent & Ethical
-
501(c)(3) Public Charity
-
Board oversight and conflict of interest policies
-
Full transparency in operations and finances
-
EIN: 39-2127588
Lifelong Support
-
Comprehensive go-home training
-
Detailed care and training manual
-
Ongoing follow-up and resource
-
Community connection
-
We’re here for the life of your partnership
Serving Our Community, Honoring Our Veterans
Dalmatia BnB and Battle Buddy are proud to serve Clinton, Missouri and the surrounding region. Through partnerships with local shelters, therapy dog programs, and veteran organizations, we’re creating a network of support that extends far beyond individual placements.
Our Partnerships Include:
-
Clinton Animal Shelter, Clinton, MO
-
Dogwood Animal Shelter, Osage Beach, MO
By the Numbers:
-
109+ institutional therapy visits since July 2025
-
6+ shelter dogs adopted through our training programs
-
3 service dogs trained for private clients
-
70+ dogs trained since opening
-
1 Service dog placed with a disabled veteran
You’ve Served Your Country. Now Let Us Serve You.
If you’re a veteran struggling with PTSD, anxiety, or the invisible wounds of service, you don’t have to face it alone. A loyal companion is waiting to rescue you—just as you’ll rescue them.
Be Part of the Rescue—Twice Over
Your support creates healing partnerships that change lives. Whether you donate, volunteer, or sponsor, you’re making mutual rescue possible.
Our Battle Mission
As a veteran-founded program, we pair disabled veterans with specially trained shelter dogs, transforming two lives at once. Every Battle Buddy partnership creates a powerful bond that enhances independence and provides life-changing support. Through our program, shelter dogs find purpose while veterans gain a dedicated companion trained to meet their specific needs.
Expert Training
Each Battle Buddy receives individualized professional training tailored to the needs of the veteran-and-dog team. From foundational obedience and public-access skills to disability-specific tasks, training is progress-based to ensure each team develops the skills, confidence, and reliability needed for success.
Lifetime Support
The Battle Buddy difference is in our understanding – we've walked in your boots. As a fellow veteran, we provide 24/7 lifetime support for every Battle Buddy team. Our commitment doesn't end at graduation; we're here to support your journey with ongoing guidance, resources, and a community that understands.