I learned about veterans moving forward through the VA who sent out a list of companies who offer service dogs. I applied online, I happened to meet a veteran and her dog at an event seeing what her dog did had me in tears. Shortly after that I received a call to get interviewed and then to get paired. This nonprofit what it offers for vets/people is truly a gift.
I joined Veterans Moving Forward in August 2020 as a dog walker. I love dogs and I have so much respect for veterans. A few weeks in I met Doc, a veteran with emotional and physical issues from combat. Our trainer Katie Poulson paired Doc with service dog in training, Zamp. In a few months Doc was more expressive, more relaxed, and so excited to train with Zamp. They have been paired for almost 2 years now and Doc is able to sleep, remember his meds (because Zamp fetches them twice a day), and even counsels other veterans. Because of their story I became more involved in their social media so I could get the word out to other veterans and their families about the great work VMF does. Since then several more dogs have been placed with deserving veterans. I’m so proud to be a small part of their dedication to serving our veterans with the best service dogs. Veterans Moving Forward changes lives! Jeannie G
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Visiting VMF's facilities, and learning how they train their service dogs and help veterans suffering from PTSD is truly inspiring. It literally gave me goose bumps.
Hearing the stories of veterans being able to send their kids off to school bus stop for the first time really shows the impact that VMF can have on lives.
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The need for service vets to get lifesaving PTSD help is massive. The solution is seemingly simple: specially train service dogs to help them with anxiety attacks and daily tasks. However, the training process is time consuming and takes a long duration. This organization plays a huge role in changing the lives of all involved: the vets, the dogs, the volunteers. It is a lean and well run organization being heavily supported by volunteers. I am honored to be one of them.
I have been volunteering with VMF for the past 3+ years and have personally witnessed incredible changes in the lives of the veterans served by this organization. VMF is acutely aware of the need to take care of our veterans and the staff generously devotes their time and energy to doing exactly that. Service dogs save lives. Its as simple as that. What a great service these folks are doing.
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I’ve been a volunteer at VMF for over a year now and am honored to support the VMF mission to provide service dogs and canine therapy services to veterans with physical and/or mental health challenges. The VMF staff is committed to the mission and every activity is focused on the goal of helping servicemembers. VMF is implementing growth measures (facilities and staff) to increase their footprint and to help even more deserving servicemembers. The pandemic has severely limited VMF’s ability to hold fundraising events and to continue their growth trajectory. However progress is being made, even in light of these challenges. Please consider visiting VMF’s website to learn the many ways you can help this worthwhile organization.
Veterans Moving Forward does amazing, life-changing work. The time and effort they invest in training service dogs and matching them with veterans in need (at no cost to the veteran or their family) is inspiring. Their leadership and volunteers are dedicated and hard-working. That's why I am proud to support VMF.
I've met with VMF of a few occasions and I can say with all sincerity that this group of people are making BIG change for those they serve. Their dedication to the Veterans they help is amazing. I know it costs THOUSANDS to train these dogs that make such a big difference in the quality of life to those who are placed a service dog. PLEASE consider VMF as a go-to charity for your $'s. Retired Col. Gordon Sumner is a stand-up person who represents this organization very well.
I've been watching the great work done by Veteran's Moving Forward for a few years now. They are a committed group that has one mission....helping a veteran in need gain a companion dog that lifts his/her spirit and provides them the opportunity to live a meaningful and fulfilling life. They are saving lives every day.
I've been a volunteer for Veterans Moving Forward since September 2019, and their program is life changing. Seeing the impact their pups have on veterans lives is your remarkable. Their trainers are tireless in giving of themselves to ensure the dogs are well loved, well trained and well prepared for their special role. I couldn't be more impressed with their dedication to serving vets in need, and I'm so blessed to do what I can for their valuable mission.
Fantastic organization with a wonderful cause! The joy, comfort, and love that these dogs provide to the veterans in which they are paired with makes this one of my favorite organizations to support. Would encourage others to do the same!
I have totally enjoyed my experience with VMF. I look forward to the day I come home with my Service Dog an event that is not that far off into the future. They have been assisting me throughout this journey and I am greatful for all of thier assistance and guidance. They have been extremely thoughful and are dedicated to the Veterans and the dogs that they train for them. Zamp will change my life.
Veterans Moving Forward is the best non-profit in the business of providing highly trained assistance dogs to disabled American veterans, at no cost to the veterans who receive these amazing dogs. The VA/US government does not provide such assistance. VMF has vastly improved its business practices recently, to become more efficient in its application of resources to train support dogs for impaired veterans. It continues to train assistance dogs to the highest standards, and then carefully pair them with disabled veterans, based on the veteran’s requirements.
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I have supported Veterans Moving Forward for many years as an Army veteran and volunteer. This charity addresses a vital need, disabled veterans who have served honorably in our military. VMF has now become a high performing organization.
It is at the center of the target of my deepest affection and concerns. Veterans deserve our generous support, and service dogs are clearly the most noble and capable of all domestic animals. They make a critically important difference. The highest priority recipient of Americans’ charitable support should be VMF.
Love what Vets Moving Forward does and stands for. Made my first donation and a team member immediately reached out and offered me the opportunity to visit the training facility and meet the canines and trainers! On subsequent donations they reached out and showed me what I helped them accomplish. CEO Gordon Sumner even takes the time to engage with patrons as well. I love his zeal for supporting Veterans! Will continue to support this organization and its mission. Keep up the good work VMF!!!
I am proud to be a founding Board member of Veterans Moving Forward. We provide service dogs to Veterans who would clinically benefit from the assistance of a highly trained dog. We have a fully staffed training and development center and a proven methodology for producing service dogs in several categories, according to the needs of our sponsored Veterans. Our organization is responsible lifetime for the service dog’s training, veterinary care, and food, thereby placing no burden on the Veteran. We have a great team of staff and a large cadre of caring, professional volunteers, each focused on the mission of making our Veterans lives better. I have supported Veterans Moving Forward wholeheartedly with my time and funds, believing our organization makes a meaningful difference to our service veterans that deserve the gratitude and support from all of us. John Prufeta
I wanted to inform you that Veterans Moving Forward has reached the “Highest Level of Recognition Offered by GuideStar – Platinum Level”!!!
What is Platinum Level? GuideStar Platinum is a way for VMF to share our progress and results as we continue to report our metrics-based achievements through our GuideStar Nonprofit Profile as we expand our service and emotional support dog training programs in the near future.
Who will see Platinum information? Millions of people will be able to see this information on our GuideStar Nonprofit Profile and through a network of more than 200 applications and websites that are powered by our profile’s data. This includes:
• Some 10 million annual visitors to guidestar.org each year.
• The millions of visitors to donation platforms, including: AmazonSmile, Facebook, JustGive, Network for Good, and dozens of other online giving portals.
• All major U.S.-based donor-advised funds, such as Fidelity Charitable.
• Dozens of online giving portals.
• Thousands of staff from all types of foundations.
• More than 18 leading community foundations.
• Nearly 20 leading community foundations.
I personally thank all of the VMF Team, especially our great staff and volunteers. Together we’ll continue to work very hard to gain not only your support but also to reach out across the country as we expand our “Paw Print”, seeking new and exciting opportunities and financial support for our growing service and emotional support dog programs.
Please share our great news on your social media sites with all of your friends and connections. And, as always, “Thank You” for your continued support to VMF as together, we provide support to those veterans dealing with mental and/or physical challenges via our service dog programs.
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Without a doubt, one of the best of it's kind... a nonprofit that provides trained/certified service dogs to veterans at no cost to the veteran or their family. I've been proud to have been with this organization since it's beginning 5 years ago. We also say "thank you" to our many volunteers and financial supporters for without your support we could not achieve our mission.
Hello, I visited training office in Washington DC and was very much impressed with a highly professional approach is being applied to train the dogs. The coaches achive amazing results, those dogs are really great. And I also met with a former army person who raises and trains dogs voluntarily to give them to disable veterans who is next in line. And line is tremendously long. So, there are different ways to help here.
Our family made a decision to become a donor for Veterans Moving Forward so more veterans could obtain a trained dog - a great help but also a wonderful friend.
With best regards,
Olga Gouroudeva