Northwest Battle Buddies
4.3 from 39 reviews
Address 11700 NE 95th St Ste #150, Vancouver, WA 98682
Phone Number +13606019744
Description Northwest Battle Buddies is a non-profit charitable organization that gifts professionally trained service dogs to Veterans battling PTSD. We are a national organization that presently supports Veteran-canine teams throughout the United States. Every qualified Veteran who applies to our program will receive a service dog and lifetime support at no cost -- thanks to our many donors, volunteers, partners, and friends. There is no cure for PTSD, but service dogs can reduce PTSD symptoms with life-changing results. With a canine battle buddy by their side, Veterans with PTSD can regain their freedom and independence.
Derek Price
Amazing people doing a great mission to help Veterans with PTSD. They genuinely care and want to help improve our quality of life. Support them if you really want to help Service Veterans! A Veteran in need? Apply! Service dogs save and improve lives!
Mac McLaren
From applying online to my first interview in less than 24hrs after submitting my application, pure professionals from start to finish. Every member of the NWBB team/family has went above and beyond every step of the way. Answering all of my questions, guiding me through the process. Reassuring my family, helping me with requesting reasonable accommodation at work. There is nothing I had to do, where I didn’t have support right there with me. These professionals are some of the most amazing dog trainers I have ever had the pleasure of associating myself with. The balance between teaching us how to handle these already trained dogs, while bridging the gap between a trained dog, and a service dog. Teaching us veterans the elements required to sustain this handler/service dog relationship for years to come. What they do is an art, and they have mastered it. They are not just skilled handlers but compassionate, yet firm, Mentors. The process they have developed to determine the personalities of the dogs and veterans to best pair us up accordingly is amazing. I am honored that they accepted me into their program and it has been truly a humbling 5-weeks. Thank you to everyone on the team! V/R Mac and Daisy
Ben O
Very positive experience. NWBBs is in the top tier of K9 training in North America, particularly for service dogs trained for military veterans. You do not choose your own dog. The team of trainers pairs the veteran with a dog that best matches his/her lifestyle and temperament. The whole team is very patriotic and committed to veteran success. That said, veterans who pass the screening process should expect a kind of mini bootcamp experience. Ms. Shannon, the CEO, runs a tight ship and brooks no debate/excuses when it comes to the handling of their dogs. And these are THEIR dogs until the five year mark. You, the veteran, are just its caretaker and guardian so to speak. Expect to learn how to handle the dog the NWBBs way. If you can do that and remain respectful/cooperative with staff, you should have no problems and go home (after five weeks) with an excellently trained dog as your companion and close friend, whatever your lifestyle. Annual training recertification is mandatory for the first five years. The trainers will want to ensure you and dog are doing well together, and to ensure the dog remains healthy / is being adequately cared for.
James Hays
I can't say enough great things about NWBB. My experience with the entire organization has been exceptional in every way. Without a doubt the most thoughtful and caring organization I’ve dealt with since leaving the service. From my first contact with Jona, the veteran liaison, daily training with Shannon and the instructors, to my interactions with the office staff, everyone has the singular focus of helping veterans succeed and improve their lives with the help of the service dogs they provide. The program is very challenging, but everyone at NWBB truly wants every veteran that walks in the door to succeed. And the dogs are beyond great. I was told that completing the NWBB program would be life changing, but I really didn’t couldn’t imagine how much having my buddy Neeko would improve my outlook on life. At graduation they present each veteran with a picture of you and your buddy in a frame that says, “Best First Day”, and it really is. I can honestly say that the experience has opened up a whole new world for me. I find myself optimistic and more willing to go out and engage with the people I meet. I have yet to have a single bad experience with Neeko around anyone. But then who could react negatively after seeing his face?
Ryan Muhler
So far, this incredible nonprofit has helped to save 257 teams from their struggles with PTSD, Depression, and other related struggles of deploying to a war zone. I was fortunate enough to be Team 248, and I beyond thankful for their gift to me. I went through the 5 weeks of Handler School, and graduated. It wasn't easy. Some portions did go easier than others, but the learning process they take the teams through is both thorough, and amazing. They were available to ask any questions we had. They answered those questions quickly, consistently, and very knowledgeably, which gave me a real confidence that they truly knew what they were teaching us. I was also truly surprised to see that there were virtually zero out-of-pocket expenses, when it came to my training, and receiving my battle buddy. I paid for my own meals, and some of my fuel, but even that was graciously supplemented by another nonprofit they work with, The Semper Fi and America's Fund. So, please... If you're reading this random review, and feel as though you'd benefit, or know a Veteran that might. Reach out to this group of people. They may have some hope for you, or someone you know in the form of a dedicated service dog. Thank you. Team 248.
benjamin ross
This organization is a blessing. So many people are involved from the breeders to the foster families, the donors, and the staff and trainers. Everyone is sold out for the mission of North West Battle Buddies. The trainers were so patient and professional with us (the veterans). If you put the work in and remain honest with others and yourself throughout their process, you will walk away with a battle buddy. You will feel a boost in confidence. You will be part of something greater. You will make amazing relationships with the veterans you go through the program with. You will be part of a greater family. I thought I was doing ok before NWBB. Several people in my life encouraged me to do this and I was wrong. I was not doing ok. I did not realize just how bad off I was. I was hyper vigilant constantly. Always anxious. Always spent part way through the day. Often easily irritated and shouty. My life was ok but I am still broken. Having my battle buddy has forced me to slow down and plan and take things on one at a time. I am able to be out and about like before but now I’m not stressing as much. I’m not afraid of people as much. My heart rate is lower. It’s not magic but it is what I needed. I needed to know someone had my back. When you go through this program you have a whole new family to back you up. The trainers are committed to the dogs and the veterans. They taught me so much. I went from the least knowledgeable about dogs and their behavior in my family to the most in 5 weeks and I know there is so much kore to learn. They match each dog expertly with each veteran to fir lifestyle and temperament. They nailed it for me. I am so grateful to NWBB for my battle buddy. He’s amazing and I know I can lead him well because they gave me the tools. If you are thinking about doing this DO IT NOW. APPLY APPLY APPLY You will not regret it.
Business Hours
Monday:08:00AM - 16:30PMTuesday:08:00AM - 16:30PMWednesday:08:00AM - 16:30PMThursday:08:00AM - 16:30PMFriday:08:00AM - 16:30PMSaturday:ClosedSunday:Closed
From the business
- Identifies as women-owned
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Amenities
- Gender-neutral restroom
Crowd
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Transgender safespace
Categories
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