irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $1.63MBREEDING PROGRAM - DURING FY 2025 THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTED 108 DOGS IN THE BREEDING COLONY. THE BREEDING COLONY IS CAREFULLY SELECTED AFTER EXTENSIVE SCREENING AND TESTING. DURING FY 2025, 362 PUPPIES WERE ADDED TO THE PROGRAMS OF AMERICA'S VETDOGS AND THE GUIDE DOG FOUNDATION. PUPPIES SPEND SEVEN TO EIGHT WEEKS IN OUR PUPPY NURSERY. FROM THE NURSERY THEY SPEND APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR IN THE HOME OF A VOLUNTEER PUPPY RAISER OR PRISON PUPPY PROGRAM BEFORE COMING BACK TO THE ORGANIZATION FOR FORMAL TRAINING. DURING FY 2025 A TOTAL OF 373 PUPPIES WERE PLACED. 266 PUPPIES WERE PLACED IN PUPPY RAISER HOMES AND 107 PUPPIES PARTICIPATED IN OUR PRISON PUPPY PROGRAM. THE ORGANIZATION CURRENTLY SUPPORTS PUPPY RAISERS IN NEARLY 20 STATES AND HAS AGREEMENTS WITH 14 PRISONS THROUGHOUT MASSACHUSETTS, MARYLAND, FLORIDA, MAINE, PENNSYLVANIA AND CONNECTICUT. THE PROFESSIONAL PUPPY STAFF SUPPORTS OUR PUPPY RAISING VOLUNTEERS AND OUR STAFF TYPICALLY VISITS EACH PRISON WEEKLY TO FOLLOW UP AND TRAIN THE INMATE HANDLERS WHO ARE CAREFULLY SCREENED TO ENSURE THEY ARE SUITABLE CANDIDATES TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROGRAM.
- #2 $1.70MPUBLIC EDUCATION - PUBLIC EDUCATION AND OUTREACH ARE IMPORTANT PARTS OF THE MISSION OF AMERICA'S VETDOGS. THIS PAST FISCAL YEAR WE DISTRIBUTED THREE ISSUES OF THE SENTINEL WHICH WERE SENT TO APPROXIMATELY 56,500 RECIPIENTS. THE SENTINEL IS THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT ASSISTANCE DOGS, ASSISTANCE DOG ETIQUETTE AND DISABILITY ISSUES. ORGANIZATION GRADUATES, PUPPY RAISERS AND CARETAKERS WENT ON OVER 98 SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS OFF CAMPUS AND EACH ONE TYPICALLY HAS AN AUDIENCE OF 30 OR MORE PEOPLE. VETDOGS HAS EMBRACED SOCIAL MEDIA AS A MEANS TO REACH OUR SUPPORTERS EFFICIENTLY AND EFFECTIVELY. WE HAVE NEARLY 83,900 FACEBOOK LIKES AND NEARLY 12,500 TWITTER FOLLOWERS. ADDITIONALLY WE HAVE APPROXIMATELY 93,000 FOLLOWERS THROUGH YOUTUBE, LINKEDIN, TIK TOK, THREADS AND INSTAGRAM. DURING FY 2025 AMERICA'S VETDOGS PARTNERED WITH MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER TEAM NASHVILLE SOCCER CLUB TO RAISE SERVICE DOG CASH, NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE TEAMS NEW YORK ISLANDERS TO RAISE SEVICED DOG JETHRO AND GUIDE DOG BUTCHIE, LAS VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS TO RAISE SERVICE DOG MAVERICK AND UTAH MAMMOTH TO RAISE SERVICE DOG ARCHIE, PHILADELPHIA FLYERS ALUMNI ASSOC TO RAISE SERVICE DOG STANLEY, MAJOR LEAGUE BASESBALL TEAM THE NEW YORK METS TO RAISE SERVICE DOG BUDDY, NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM HOUSTON TEXANS TO RAISE SERVICE DOG BLITZ AND NATIONAL BASKETBALL TEAM CLEVELAND CAVALIERS TO RAISE SERVICE DOG REGGIE. CORPORATE PUPPY WITH A PURPOSE SPONSOR VOYA FINANCIAL TO SPONSOR PUPPY COOPER, AMERICAN INTEGRITY INSURANCE TO RAISE DOGS STORM AND LEO, 3M TO SPONSOR PUPPY SCOTTY, BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON TO SPONSOR PUPPY ASTRO, NBC UNIVERSAL TO RAISE SERVICED DOG ATLAS, WINDOW WORLD TO RAISE DOGS ACE AND LIBERTY OVER THE COURSE OF THE YEAR TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT TASKS ASSISTANCE DOGS ARE TRAINED DO FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. VETDOGS REPRESENTATIVES HAVE MADE PRESENTATIONS AT SEVERAL STATE CONVENTIONS FOR THE VETERANS ASSOCIATION, AMERICAN LEGION, VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS AND THE MARINE CORP LEAGUE.
named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Breeding and Puppy Program
Manages a breeding colony of dogs and operates a puppy nursery where puppies spend their first 7-8 weeks before being placed with volunteer puppy raisers or in prison puppy programs for approximately one year of socialization and basic training.
Prison Puppy Program
Partners with 14 correctional facilities across six states to train puppies with carefully screened inmate handlers, supported by professional staff who visit weekly for training and oversight.
Public Education and Outreach
Distributes educational materials including The Sentinel newsletter to 56,500 recipients, conducts speaking engagements, and uses social media platforms to educate the public about assistance dogs, disability issues, and proper etiquette around service animals.
Service Dog Placement
Trains and places guide dogs, hearing dogs, PTSD service dogs, and service dogs for physical disabilities with eligible veterans, active-duty military, and first responders at no cost to the recipient.
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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Animal-Assisted Support Services 3 activities
- Application and intake process management for service and facility dogsOperates formal application processes requiring documentation of military or first-responder service and disability for individual service dogs, and command approval, video submissions, and interviews for facility dog placements.
- Retired dog adoption program for graduatesOffers individuals who complete training programs the first option to adopt their retired assistance dogs as companion animals, supporting continued emotional and practical bonds.
- Training and placement of assistance dogs for veterans and first respondersTrains and places service dogs for veterans, active-duty service members, and first responders with physical disabilities, visual impairments, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or hearing loss. The organization also provides facility dogs to military and VA hospitals to support rehabilitation and therapy. Each dog is provided at no cost, including breeding, training, transportation, and aftercare.
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Animal Rescue Volunteer Coordination 1 activity
- Management of puppy raising and prison-based training programsPlaces puppies in volunteer raiser homes across nearly 20 states and in prison puppy programs in six states, supporting over 373 placements in fiscal year 2025. Provides weekly training and ongoing support to inmate handlers as part of structured rehabilitation programming.
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Organizational Newsletter Production and Distribution 1 activity
- Provision of newsletters and communication to supporters and constituentsDistributes the Sentinel newsletter three times annually to approximately 56,500 recipients and provides monthly updates to subscribers on assistance dog programs, care tips, travel guidance, and special events.
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Uncategorized 2 activities
- Operation of a residential and field-based training program for veterans with assistance dogsOperates a two-week in-residence training program at its Smithtown, NY campus for veterans and service members, offering personalized instruction in small classes. Regional field instructors provide in-home training, follow-up support, aftercare, and applicant interviews along the eastern U.S. coast.
- Public education and outreach on assistance dogs and disability issuesConducts public speaking engagements, partners with professional sports teams and corporate sponsors to raise awareness, and distributes educational materials about assistance dogs. In fiscal year 2025, delivered over 98 off-campus presentations and engaged sponsors such as NBC Universal and Booz Allen Hamilton.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$10.15M
Contributions & grants$10.02M99%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$137K1%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$10.15M
Program expenses80%
Admin / overhead7%
Fundraising12%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$4.41M
Cash$2.90M
Investments$0
Liabilities$617K
Net assets$3.79M
Liquid reserves3.4 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue -3.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 8
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOHN MILLER | PRESIDENT AND CEO | 20 | $644K |
| MICHAEL ROSEN | CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER | 20 | $272K |
| LAURA ENGLISH | CHIEF OF STAFF | 20 | $268K |
| BRADLEY HIBBARD | CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER | 20 | $265K |
| DAVID LOCKLIN | CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER | 20 | $262K |
| GRETE EIDE | CHIEF CANINE CARE OFFICER | 20 | $195K |
| VALERIE CRAMER | DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC RELATIONSHIPS | 20 | $167K |
| MICHAEL BIZZARRO | DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY | 20 | $163K |
board members · 17
- ALPHONCE J BROWN JR ACFRE — VICE CHAIR - DEVELOPMENT
- CELESE V LOPES ESQ — BOARD MEMBER
- CHARLES BONOMO — BOARD MEMBER
- DONALD DEA — CHAIR
- GARTH JORDAN — BOARD MEMBER
- GARY BROWN — BOARD MEMBER
- GLENN SCHNEIDER — BOARD MEMBER
- GLENN TECKER — VICE CHAIR - PLANNING
- JOSEPH N CAMPOLO ESQ — EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
- KRISTEN CHAMBERS — BOARD MEMBER
- LACHELLE SMITH — VICE CHAIR - PROGRAM
- LESLIE H TAYNE ESQ — SECRETARY
- MAX ROHN — BOARD MEMBER
- MICHAEL F TROIANO ESQ — VICE CHAIR - CONSUMER EXP. & ENGAG.
- MING CHIANG — BOARD MEMBER
- PAMELA KAUL — BOARD MEMBER
- PAMELA TATE — EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
relationships · 39
Who they work with
- 3M Partner — Corporate sponsor sponsoring puppy Scotty.
- Amazin’ Mets Foundation Partner — Co-raising a future service dog and providing grant funding to support service dog training and placement.
- American Integrity Insurance Partner — Corporate sponsor raising dogs Storm and Leo.
- Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance Government — Accredited by BBB Wise Giving Alliance as meeting their Standards for Charity Accountability.
- Booz Allen Partner — Corporate partner in the Corporate Puppy With a Purpose program
- Booz Allen Hamilton Partner — Corporate sponsor sponsoring puppy Astro.
- Candid GuideStar Government — Platinum Participant in Candid GuideStar, reflecting commitment to transparency.
- Charity Navigator Government — Rated as a 4-star charity with a 100% score, recognized as a charity to which donors can give with confidence.
- Charity Watch Government — Jointly listed with Guide Dog Foundation as “Top-Rated” with an “A” grade.
- Cleveland Cavaliers Partner — Partnered to raise service dog Reggie.
- Department of Veterans Affairs Government — Cooperative relationship with VetDogs for placing facility dogs and providing services to veterans.
- Guide Dog Foundation Network — Partner organization from which America's VetDogs was created in 2003; shares staff and resources to support services for people with disabilities.
- Guide Dog Foundation Partner — Collaborates on breeding and puppy programs, jointly adding puppies to training programs.
- Guide Dog Foundation Partner — Collaborates on shared mission and joint ADEI initiatives, including a unified task force and aligned organizational policies.
- Guide Dog Foundation Partner — Sister nonprofit organization; shares the same management team and fiscal practices.
- Guide Dog Foundation Partner — Sister organization that collaborates in training and placing assistance dogs; operates as a separate 501(c)(3) but shares programs and mission.
- Guide Dog Foundation Partner — Sister organization to which applicants who are legally blind are referred for guide dog services.
- Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind Partner — Parent organization of America's VetDogs, responsible for breeding dogs and managing adoption processes for retired dogs.
- Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, Inc. Partner — Joint board of directors oversees both organizations, indicating a close operational and strategic partnership.
- Guide Dog.org Partner — Shared contact infrastructure and email domains suggest an operational relationship with Guide Dog.org.
- Houston Texans Partner — Partnered to raise service dog Blitz.
- Las Vegas Golden Knights Partner — Partnered to raise service dog Maverick.
- Monumental Sports Partner — Corporate partner in the Corporate Puppy With a Purpose program
- NBC Universal Partner — Corporate partner in the Corporate Puppy With a Purpose program
- NBC Universal Partner — Corporate sponsor raising service dog Atlas.
- Nashville Soccer Club Partner — Partnered to raise service dog Cash and educate the public about assistance dogs.
- National Center for PTSD Government — Referenced as a source for PTSD statistics and as an affiliated training body for mental health professionals.
- New York Islanders Partner — Partnered to raise service dog Jethro and guide dog Butchie.
- New York Mets Partner — Partnered to raise service dog Buddy.
- Philadelphia Flyers Alumni Association Partner — Partnered to raise service dog Stanley.
+ 9 more
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Assistance Dog Intervention Modelmethodology: assistance-dog-interventionBy providing trained assistance dogs to veterans and first responders with physical, sensory, or psychological disabilities, we improve independence and mental health outcomes because human-animal bonds enhance emotional regulation, reduce isolation, and enable daily task support.
- Real-World Immersion Trainingmethodology: real_world_immersionBy training veterans and service dogs together in real-world environments, we ensure successful integration into daily life because experiential learning in authentic settings builds confidence, reinforces adaptive behaviors, and prepares for actual challenges outside controlled facilities.
- Stigma Reduction for Service Accessmethodology: stigma_reductionBy affirming eligibility for service dogs regardless of comparative hardship, we increase access among veterans because reducing self-stigma encourages help-seeking behavior and counters cultural barriers to accepting support.