About Us
Offering programs since 2010
Who We Are
Transforming two lives at once, Canines With a Cause (CWAC) pairs rescued dogs with veterans affected by PTSD, TBI, and MST, offering complimentary, personalized training classes to become psychiatric service dog teams.
That transformation begins with carefully evaluating shelter dogs across Utah, identifying those with the potential to become service animals. Each canine candidate is thoughtfully paired with a veteran and, together, they participate in weekly training classes led by our trainer, Harleigh, CPDT-KA®.
Veterans are guided through the process of training their own service dog, working consistently over time to develop reliable, life-supporting skills and tasks. These tasks—tailored to each veteran’s unique needs—may include deep pressure therapy, interrupting distress, waking from nightmares, retrieving items, medication reminders, and grounding.
As a registered 501c3 nonprofit, we depend on donations from our generous supporters, enabling us to offer training classes to veterans at no cost.
Canines With a Cause (CWAC) was previously an accredited member of the Association of Service Dog Providers (ASDP). We are currently working toward accreditation with Assistance Dogs International (ADI), a rigorous process that typically takes 3–5 years to complete.
Today, CWAC operates from our main office and training room, known as the Family Dog in Holladay, UT. Our dedicated trainers Chloe and Harleigh guide veterans from start to finish, or initial inquiry to graduation, fostering life-changing connections.
Classes are currently held in Holladay, Salt Lake County. Depending on trainer availability, we may also be able to accommodate participants in Davis, Weber, Morgan, most of Summit, Wasatch, Utah, and Toole counties. Clients wishing to join the program must have a service-connected psychiatric disability.
Our History
In 2010, CWAC began its mission at Friends of Animals, Utah, now known as Nuzzles, in Summit County, Utah, as an “Animal Assisted Therapy” program. Recognizing the profound impact of companion animals on individuals healing from trauma, CWAC saw an opportunity to pair rescued animals with veterans in need. As demand grew for trained service dogs to support veterans with invisible wounds, CWAC became an independent nonprofit organization in May 2011.
In 2016, we launched a groundbreaking program at Timpanogos Women’s State Prison in collaboration with the Utah Department of Corrections. This innovative initiative brought rescued dogs into the prison for assessment and pre-training, empowering inmates to care for the dogs and attend bi-weekly training classes.
Building on this success, CWAC expanded its programs to Reno, Nevada, in 2017. Although the Warm Springs dog training program was temporarily suspended in 2020 due to COVID-19, our team persevered. Under the leadership of Reno Program Manager, Seamus, a new dog training program was established at the Northern Nevada Correctional Center in Carson City in 2023. This revamped program achieved remarkable success until ownership transition to Liberty Dogs, a local organization, in October 2024.
CWAC has collaborated with esteemed organizations, including the Walter Reed Military Hospital Soldier Rehabilitation Program and the Uniformed Services University’s Wounded Warrior Service Dog Program.
Our History
In 2010, CWAC began its mission at Friends of Animals, Utah, now known as Nuzzles, in Summit County, Utah, as an “Animal Assisted Therapy” program. Recognizing the profound impact of companion animals on individuals healing from trauma, CWAC saw an opportunity to pair rescued animals with veterans in need. As demand grew for trained service dogs to support veterans with invisible wounds, CWAC became an independent nonprofit organization in May 2011.
In 2016, we launched a groundbreaking program at Timpanogos Women’s State Prison in collaboration with the Utah Department of Corrections. This innovative initiative brought rescued dogs into the prison for assessment and pre-training, empowering inmates to care for the dogs and attend bi-weekly training classes.
Building on this success, CWAC expanded its programs to Reno, Nevada, in 2017. Although the Warm Springs dog training program was temporarily suspended in 2020 due to COVID-19, our team persevered. Under the leadership of Reno Program Manager, Seamus, a new dog training program was established at the Northern Nevada Correctional Center in Carson City in 2023. This revamped program achieved remarkable success until ownership transition to Liberty Dogs, a local organization, in October 2024.
CWAC has collaborated with esteemed organizations, including the Walter Reed Military Hospital Soldier Rehabilitation Program and the Uniformed Services University’s Wounded Warrior Service Dog Program.
Our Process
CWAC's journey begins by identifying suitable canine candidates from local and out-of-state shelters and rescue organizations. These loving canines are evaluated for behavior, health and overall temperament. After CWAC adopts the candidate and assumes responsibility, a commitment is made to place that dog in a forever home, regardless of whether they complete our service dog program or not.
Before a canine is placed with a veteran, it is placed in a foster home to help pre-train and instill obedience skills. This temporary placement allows us to prepare both the dog and veteran for their future partnership.
When matching a dog with a veteran, we carefully consider the veteran's personality, needs, and lifestyle to ensure a harmonious partnership. If a veteran already has a dog, we assess whether the dog is suitable for our program. Once a veteran is paired with a dog, they form a service team and attend weekly training classes, embarking on a transformative journey together.
