Maine Paws for Veterans Dogs

Maine Paws FOr Veterans

Dogs are at the heart of our program

The dogs in the Maine Paws for Veterans program are carefully vetted and matched with a veteran to provide the best possible team outcomes. Finding a veteran the right fur friend for their lifestyle is something we take seriously. We search for medium size breeds that are highly trainable and have the willingness to serve their human companion. Here are the various ways in which a dog may enter our program…

Raise 2 Train Program

Oh, the fun we have with puppies!

Sometimes we acquire a puppy who is not old enough to be paired with a veteran. These puppies could be as young as eight weeks. They are delivered to the homes of volunteer puppy raisers who live within driving distance of MPfV in Brunswick, Maine. Puppy raisers are foster families, from all walks of life, who nurture and care for their charges until they are about a year old. They teach the puppies basic manners and commands and socialize them to a variety of social situations and experiences that range from shopping and car rides to attending training classes. All food and equipment are supplied by MPfV.

Shelter and Rescue Dogs

Making a difference for two lives!

We are fortunate to have partnerships with local animal shelters that are familiar and skilled with conducting behavioral assessments for dogs who may be a suitable canine candidate for our program. SAFER & Other Behavioral Assessment Tools listed below help us identify a potential match.


ASPCA SAFER (Safety Assessment for Evaluating Rehoming) is intended to be one tool used to help identify the risk of future aggression and individual behavioral support needed before adoption for each dog in a shelter.


Match-Up II Match-Up II was developed at The Center for Shelter Dogs (CSD), formally a program of the Animal Rescue League of Boston. The assessment includes a behavior evaluation, automatic personality and triage scores, outcome reports, and recommended training or further actions.


Assess-a-Pet This temperament test, created by Sue Sternberg, is a 15-minute evaluation process that is designed to help inform decisions on safety, adoptability, and matching dogs with new families.

Veteran's Companion Dog

A transition from family pet to the service dog.

We often get applicants who would like to use a dog that has been their family pet. When a dog qualifies for this program we are pleased to see the transition! A veteran may use his/her own dog if the dog meets the following criteria:

  • The dog must pass a medical and behavioral exam by a licensed veterinarian.
  • The dog must be licensed in the town in which it resides.
  • The dog must be 1-3 years old and spayed or neutered.
  • The dog must pass a canine behavioral assessment administered by an MPfV representative.

Once these needs have been met and are approved the newly found partnership between veteran and their beloved canine will begin. 

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