Operation Freedom Paws empowers veterans, first responders, children and other individuals with disabilities to restore their freedom to live life.
Operation Freedom Paws empowers individuals with disabilities to restore their freedom to live life by teaching them to train their own dogs, and certifying them as service dog teams.
Vision
Through a special therapeutic canine-human relationship, all veterans, first responders, children and other individuals with disabilities live an enriched life and engage in their communities.
Core Values: Our RECIPE for success!
| Respect: | We honor differences without judgement or prejudice. |
| Empathy: | We are sensitive to each individual’s emotions and experiences in order to provide a safe environment. |
| Community: | We are a collective of individuals with shared goals, achieving a common purpose. |
| Integrity: | We are genuine and authentic in all that we do. |
| Perseverance: | We overcome daily obstacles and barriers to achieve our full potential. |
| Excellence: | We exceed expectations in all that we do. |
What We Do
Founded in January 2010, Operation Freedom Paws is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that matches dogs with individuals who have Post Traumatic Stress (PTS), Complex-Post Traumatic Stress (CPTS) and/or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) symptoms, or other physical, neurological, psychological or mobility needs.
We train the individual to train their own dog, and then certify them together as a service dog team. Most of the dogs come from rescue shelters. Each is then matched to a specific client’s physical and psychological needs. There is no charge – all we ask is a commitment to complete the 48-week training program.
This unique opportunity enables our clients to feel safe and secure, and to manage their day-to-day lives. The very special therapeutic canine-human relationship helps them get back out in their communities and begin to view their future with renewed hope.
Want to Learn More
Mary Cortani, our Executive Director, is published in Healing War Trauma & War Trauma and Its Wake. These textbooks are available on Amazon.
