Dog companion program for veterans gaining momentum

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Hannah’s Helping Hands (HHH) is a nonprofit organization that exists to help veterans find the right pet for them. 

Hannah’s Helping Hands recently announced it’s opening itself up to the public more than it has in the past. 

“We haven’t had the resources to share this with the community,” said new Executive Director Jade Steel. 

With help from donors, Steel said they are able to share their passion and help more people experience the joy and healthy benefits of a human/pet bond.

Within the program local veterans suffering from military traumas are brought together with a companion dog. Veterans spend one-on-one time with HHH trainers so they can find out what type of dog would suit them in terms of size, behavior and age. Once that is identified, they head together to a Humane Society and find the right match. 

“Our trainers are very good and there to help guide them to the perfect match,” said Steel.

For the rest of the dog’s life, HHH covers the pet’s cost of living for their veteran owners. This includes everything from food to medical bills. In addition, training between the dog and master can be done as often as wanted with the HHH trainers. 



“Our veterans can come back as much as they want and have training as high up as they want,” said Steel. 

She also mentioned that unlike other similar programs out there, HHH currently has no waiting list. In addition, all these free benefits are available to veterans who want to join and already have a dog they love. Getting a new companion isn’t a requirement. 

Banghi Traweek is a Marine Corps veteran who suffers from PTSD. Before getting involved with HHH, he already had a trusted sidekick in his chihuahua-jack russell mix, Sophie.

“Being a disabled veteran with limited income I wondered how I would take care of this. It (HHH) has been a buoy in my life,” he said. “It’s a real absolute blessing. I do not hesitate to recommend this program to other veterans.”

Another veteran who recently joined is a man named Darrin. In his case the HHH people matched him with a German Shepherd mix puppy named Murphy. According to Steel, Murphy has been great helping reduce the ailments Darrin suffers from and has been able to take him to obedience classes which Murphy has needed to gain necessary skills as a quality service dog. 

To receive the benefits available, veterans and their dogs just simply go to one of the HHH locations in the Portland area, but the program accepts people as far up as North Clark County. Because the veterans are disabled, HHH does everything it can to accommodate travel. The free dog food for example, can be delivered directly to their homes depending on distance.