Operation Freedom Paws is celebrating an incredible milestone this year, and our story was recently featured in the Gilroy Dispatch. The article highlights the impact Operation Freedom Paws has had over the past 15 years helping veterans, first responders, children, and others living with trauma and disabilities regain independence through service dogs.

What began in 2010 with one Marine seeking help has grown into a nationally recognized nonprofit serving more than 600 clients. Along the way, Operation Freedom Paws has paired hundreds of people with life changing service dogs while also rescuing dogs in need of a second chance.

You can read the full article from the Gilroy Dispatch here:

https://gilroydispatch.com/south-valley-nonprofit-marks-15-years-saving-people-and-dogs/

The Beginning of Operation Freedom Paws

Operation Freedom Paws was founded by Mary Cortani, a military veteran and professional dog trainer. The organization began with a simple promise to help a Marine who had been waiting years for a service dog while struggling with severe PTSD.

Instead of relying on a traditional model where a dog is fully trained before being placed with a client, Mary created a program where participants train their own service dogs alongside professional trainers. This model not only creates a stronger bond between the handler and dog but also helps clients rebuild confidence, trust, and stability.

That first training partnership sparked what would eventually become Operation Freedom Paws, a program that has now transformed hundreds of lives throughout California and beyond.

A Unique Service Dog Training Model

One of the reasons Operation Freedom Paws stands out is its owner training approach. Clients work directly with trainers over many months to train their own dogs to perform tasks that help manage symptoms related to PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, mobility challenges, and other disabilities.

Service dogs trained through Operation Freedom Paws learn skills that can include:

• Interrupting panic attacks

• Providing grounding during anxiety episodes

• Creating physical space in crowded environments

• Waking handlers from nightmares

• Assisting with mobility and balance

This training process creates an incredibly strong partnership between handler and dog. The dog becomes more than assistance, it becomes a trusted companion that helps restore independence and stability.

Rescuing Dogs While Helping People

Another important part of the Operation Freedom Paws mission is rescuing dogs. Many of the dogs that become service dogs in the program come from shelters and rescue organizations.

These dogs are carefully evaluated for temperament and potential before entering training. When a dog proves to be a good match for the program, it is given the opportunity to transform its life while helping transform the life of a person in need.

This approach allows Operation Freedom Paws to save lives at both ends of the leash.

Stories of Transformation

The Gilroy Dispatch article also shares the story of Jeff Wilson, one of the many veterans whose life was changed through Operation Freedom Paws. After struggling with PTSD following his military service, Jeff joined the program and trained alongside his service dog.

The experience was so meaningful that Jeff later returned to Operation Freedom Paws as a trainer. Today he helps guide other veterans and clients through the same process that once helped him rebuild his own life.

Stories like Jeff’s are a powerful reminder of why this work matters.

Celebrating 15 Years of Impact

As Operation Freedom Paws celebrates its 15th year as a nonprofit organization, the need for service dogs and trauma support continues to grow. Thousands of veterans and first responders struggle with invisible wounds, and many report that working with a service dog has been one of the most important steps in their healing journey.

Operation Freedom Paws remains committed to providing this training and support at no cost to clients, ensuring that those who need help most can access it regardless of financial circumstances.

Over the past 15 years, the program has:

• Served more than 600 clients

• Rescued and trained hundreds of dogs

• Helped thousands of family members impacted by trauma

• Built a community of mentors, trainers, and supporters

Thank You for Supporting Operation Freedom Paws

Being featured in the Gilroy Dispatch is a meaningful moment for the entire Operation Freedom Paws community. It helps raise awareness about the impact service dogs can have and the lives that are changed through this work every day.

If you would like to learn more about Operation Freedom Paws, we encourage you to read the full article and share it with others.

Together, we are continuing the mission of saving lives at both ends of the leash.