Since July 2010, TADSAW has accredited 1,179 Service Dog Teams, including 139 Vietnam Veteran (M:128//F:11) and TWO Korean War Veteran and 60 TADSAF (“Train a Dog – Save a Family” member program) and 7 TADSAR (Train a Dog – Save a First Responder) and 26 TADSAC (Train a Dog – Save a Civilian)  Service Dog Teams.

Male :        854

Female:     325

NOW in 2020, TADSAW has accredited 79 Service Dog Teams (M:47//F:30), including 11 Vietnam Veteran (M:9//F:2) and 6 TADSAF  and 2 TADSAR and 3 TADSAC Service Dog Teams!!!!

TADSAW is the leader of Service Dog Providers in the area of Diversity, striving to mirror the demographics of Our Military and Veteran populations with disabilities.  27% of Our Teams are Female Veterans.  25% of Our Teams are Minorities, having accredited 304 Service Dog Teams throughout their communities, represented by 108 African-American (M:45//F:63) and 156 Hispanic-Latina (M:98//F:58).and 40 other Ethnicities (M:24//F:15). However, it would be less complicated if we replaced the “hyphenated American” with just AMERICAN!!!

And remember those other Service Dog Organizations train one dog for $25,000 to $45,000 – just for one Veteran!!!!!  And TADSAW is still training one  Medical Alert Service Dog Team for $2,500. 

TADSAW SERVICE DOG TEAM TSD1000

At this monumental stage of TADSAW INC history, accrediting the 1000^th Medical Alert Service Dog Team, I want to start by saying “THANK YOU” to all who have been involved with the Train a Dog – Save a Warrior’ (TADSAW) program, from the early beginning in July 2010. Special Thanks to PENNY, KELSIE & GRACIE – the ‘Matron Saints’ of TADSAW, and THE COLONEL- who has shared this journey with me since 2011.

First, I wish to Thank TADSAW’s cofounder Patsy, Pennys From Heaven Foundation,  Mitch – U.S. Army Veteran who initiated the reason and need for such a program, and Andrew and Brandi, his wife, – U.S. Army Retired & COCOA – our first applicant and TADSAW Service Dog Team TSD0001, and the first Trainer Karen, San Antonio, TX

Secondly, I want to THANK each and every applicant, program participant and Battle Buddy, Dog Trainers, Families and all the Donors who made all of this happen over the years until this Milestone of TADSAW Service Dog Team TSD1000 was accredited on May 7^th 2010. And Congratulations goes to Gary & KACI   TSD 1000 and their Trainer Kathy S. of Missouri

The TADSAW program is successful because of the belief a Veteran can train their own Service Dog, to navigate and warn them of the triggers that are the memories of battles, loss of friends, and the destruction associated with war and conflicts. The anxiety and depression induced from years of service and deployments take their toll on the members of the Armed Services, no matter where they served, engaged in or supportive of the combat mission. They are all brothers and sisters of the same family vested in the same mission.  This is why the term Military Induced Anxiety Depression Syndrome (MIADS) describes the medical condition so much more appropriately, as an occupational hazard, rather than a mental health and/or mental health issue.

These men and women who served came into the military not knowing of what was expected of them and they trained to be part of a team and be successful on the missions they were given. The same is true of the TADSAW program, “Together you train to hone your skills and BOND as a Team”.  That is what a Medical Alert Service Dog Team is.

Once again, many thanks to all of the Teams and Trainers from TSD0002 thru TSD0999 – who with out all of you and your Battle Buddies hard work, would this day not be possible.

And Thanks to the words of Ross Perot, at a meeting in October 2010, when he asked how many lives could TADSAW help. At the time I had no idea, but I learned and know now that TADSAW has made a difference in the lives of 1,000 Veterans and 1,000 Battle Buddies, AND 1,000 Families and 1,000 neighborhoods AND 1,000 COMMUNITIES across the Untied States with a Medical Alert Service Dog.

Thank You to everyone involved in the success of TADSAW INC. It is with much honor and privilege that TADSAW continues the program for all of our Veterans and their families.

Congratulations and Best of Luck now and always to All of the Teams…

Although every Service Dog Organization is responsible for the actions of the Service Dogs evaluated, trained and accredited, it is still the after training handling by the Dog’s handler, in this case the Veteran, to maintain TADSAW’s philosophy “If you set your dog up to fail, the Dog will fail” and consequently so will the Veteran.

A Service Dog may be accredited by successfully completing the Public Access Temperament Test, but in reality the dog only goes from the status of an “in-training service dog” to a “Service Dog In-Training” for the remainder of their career. And the handler must be aware of this at all times. Having a Service Dog is a 24/7/365 commitment for Life!!!

It is still TADSAW’s commitment to using only positive reinforced training methodology in the building of the canine-human bond, so necessary in any type of working dog relationship. ‘TOGETHER YOU TRAIN TO HONE YOUR SKILLS AND BOND AS A TEAM”!!

NOW – ABOUT THE PROGRAM

TADSAW – Train a Dog Save a Warrior

TADSAW, INC. is a Texas 501(c)(3)  not for profit organization, EIN: 45-4556055,  administering  the ‘Train A Dog – Save A Warrior’ (TADSAW) program.

The TADSAW, INC. mission is to provide for the training of a Medical Alert Service Dog, as designated by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990/2010 guidelines, for any wounded Veteran Service Member (Active Duty. Retired, Discharged) surviving with Military Induced Anxiety Depression Syndrome (MIADS), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Military Sexual Trauma (MST) and/or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), in order to restore and improve the Veteran’s Quality of Life with a canine ‘Battle Buddy’, at NO CHARGE  to the Veteran or the family.

TADSAW, INC. oversees a second program, the ‘Train A Dog – Save A Family’ (TADSAF), which also provides for the training of a Medical Alert Service Dog for any Veteran’s immediate family, spouse and/or children, surviving with compassion fatigue, secondary Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or any other mental health issue diagnosed while the Veteran was deployed or on Active Duty, in order to restore and improve the individuals Quality of Life with a canine ‘Buddy’, at NO CHARGE to the Veteran or family.

TADSAW, INC. supports a third program, the ‘Train a Dog  – Save a  First Responder’ (TADSAR), which also provides for the training of a Medical Alert Service Dog for any First Responder, Local and State Police, Fire Fighters, and Hospital staff, surviving with  Occupation Related Induced Anxiety Depression Syndrome (ORIADS), PTSD , etc. caused by the aftermath of treating individuals that are victims of catastrophic events or accidents.

TADSAW, INC. is committed to serving the United States Military men and women, their families and the First Responders, responsible with protecting our nation.

Watch Some Amazing TADSAW Videos

Dieter performing as service dog

Since July 2010, TADSAW has accredited 1,179 Service Dog Teams, including 139 Vietnam Veteran (M:128//F:11) and TWO Korean War Veteran and 60 TADSAF (“Train a Dog – Save a Family” member program) and 8 TADSAR (Train a Dog  – Save a First Responder) and 26 TADSAC (Train a Dog – Save a Civilian) Service Dog Teams.

Male:       854

Female:   325

NOW in 2020, TADSAW has accredited 79 Service Dog Teams (M:49//F:30), including 11 Vietnam Veteran (M:9//F:2) and 6 TADSAF and 2 TADSAR and 5 TADSAC Teams !!

TADSAW is the leader of Service Dog Providers in the area of Diversity, striving to mirror the demographics of Our Military and Veteran populations with disabilities.  27% of Our Teams are Female Veterans.  25% of Our Teams are Minorities, having accredited 304 Service Dog Teams throughout their communities, represented by 108 African-American (M:45//F:63) and 156 Hispanic-Latina (M:98//F:58).and 40 other Ethnicities (M:24//F:15). However, it would be less complicated if we replaced the “hyphenated American” with just AMERICAN!!!