Maryland Veterans Service Animal Program and Fund is sponsored by Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families. Provides funding to nonprofit entities offering equine-assisted therapy to eligible veterans, including veterans' spouses and dependents.

Service Animal Program | Department of Veterans and Military Families Service Animal Program Donation Make a donation today to help provide critical assistance and companionship to veterans who rely on trained service animals. Donations can be made online . Please note: The Fund is not a designated 501(c)(3) organization.

Updated: Wednesday, January 14, 2026 Maryland Veterans Service Animal Program and Fund​​ First established by the Maryland General Assembly in 2017, the Maryland Veterans Service Animal Program and Fund in the Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families took effect July 1, 2017. The original legislation encompassed only nonprofit entities that trained service canines.

A subsequent amendment to the legislation, approved in 2019, included entities that provide equine-assisted therapy to eligible veterans. In the 2025 Maryland General Assembly Session, the original legislation was again amended to include veteran spouses and dependents as eligible program participants.

Ten (10) Maryland-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations were selected to receive grants in January 2026 to provide services to Maryland veterans, their spouses, and eligible dependents.

These organizations addressed the central priority of the Service Animal Program and Fund to improve mental health and overall well-being and reduce the risk of suicide in Maryland’s veteran population by offering increased opportunities for veterans to receive professionally trained service or support dogs or receive equine-assisted therapy services for themselves and their families.

Additional grant-funded priorities were the inclusion of outreach and education activities focused on increasing community awareness of veteran suicide prevention and military cultural competency and expanding the field of service professionals through certification and training. The ten FY26 grantees are listed below, along with the central component of their grant request.

Chesapeake Therapeutic Riding, Inc. (Harford County) Grant funds supported staff costs for veteran program services and costs related to equine care. Greenwell Foundation, Inc. (St. Mary’s County) Grant funds supported staff costs for veteran program services; staff development/training; and costs related to equine care.

Lifeline Horse Rescue and Rehabilitation, Inc. (Montgomery County) Grant funds supported staff costs for veteran program services, and supplies related to equine care. Maryland Therapeutic Riding, Inc. (Anne Arundel County) Grant funds supported staff costs for veteran program services; staff development/training; and supplies related to equine care.

Promise Landing Farm, Inc. (Prince George’s County) Grant funds supported staff costs for veteran program services; staff professional development/training; and supplies related to equine care STAR Community, Inc. (Washington County) Grant funds supported costs for equipment necessary to conduct therapeutic riding instruction; staff development/training; and supplies related to equine care.

Talisman Therapeutic Riding, Inc. (Queen Anne’s County) Grant funds supported staff costs for veteran program services; staff development/training; and supplies related to equine care.

Warrior Canine Connection, Inc. (Montgomery County) Grant funds supported costs for veteran program services via on-site Service Dog Training Instructors at Jessup Correctional Institution and Baltimore Veterans Treatment Court; staff travel related to program delivery; supplies related to canine care.

Wellspring of Life Farm, Inc. (Baltimore County) Grant funds supported costs for staff development/training in Liberty and Driving instruction; equine training; and supplies related to equine care. Freedom Hills Therapeutic Riding, Inc. (Cecil County) Grant funds supported costs for staff development/training; equine equipment; and equine supplies.

The Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families is deeply grateful to the individuals and organizations that have generously supported the Service Animal Program. Donations to this program help provide vital assistance and resources to Maryland veterans who benefit from the companionship and service of trained animals.

In accordance with state requirements, DVMF maintains a list of donors who have given permission for their names to be published. DVMF extends heartfelt appreciation to all contributors for their continued generosity and commitment to supporting Maryland’s veterans and service animal partnerships. Only donors who gave permission to have their names posted are on this list.

​ 2025: Omaha Beach DAV Chapter 7 – $3,000 2024: Theresa Card and Patricia Schramm 2021: One donation received totaling $1,000 2020: One donation received totaling $50 2019: Three donations received totaling $95 (no donors wished to have their names shared) ​2018: Brian and Lisa Smith – $250 and Bob Farlow – $25 Donations to the Fund are accepted by check or online by credit card.

Please note the Fund is not a designated 501(c)3 organization. To donate to the Service Animal Program, click the online donations page​ .

Checks must be payable to the Maryland Veterans Service Animal Program Fund and mailed to: Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families 16 Francis Street, Fourth Floor Annapolis, Maryland 21401 **PLEASE NOTE ON THE CHECK IF YOU WISH TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS, IF NOT NOTED YOUR NAME WILL BE REFLECTED AS A DONOR ON THE DVMF WEBSITE** Credit card donations are accepted.

​ Guide and Service Dog Information and Resources According to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, guide dogs are trained to lead the blind or vision impaired. The dog acts as a pilot to direct its owner in a straight line unless directed to turn, while avoiding obstacles in all directions.

According to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, a service dog is a dog trained to do specific tasks for a person that he or she cannot do because of a disability. Service dogs can pick things up, guide a person with vision problems, or help someone who falls or loses balance easily.

For example, a service dog can help a blind person walk down the street or get dangerous things out of the way when someone is having a seizure. Protecting someone, giving emotional support, or being a companion do not qualify a dog to be a service animal. To be a service dog, a dog must go through training.

Usually the dog is trained to: Do things that are different from natural dog behavior Do things that the handler (dog owner) cannot do because of a disability Learn to work with the new handler in ways that help manage the owner’s disability Because the handler depends on the service dog’s help, service dogs are allowed to go to most public places the handler goes.

This is the case even if it is somewhere pet dogs usually cannot go, like restaurants or on airplanes. But there are a few exceptions. For example, service dogs can be asked to leave if they are not behaving well.

To learn more visit the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Rehabilitation and Prosthetic website: https://www. patientcare. va.

gov/rehabilitationservices. asp . Questions related to the Maryland Veterans Service Animal Program can be directed to: Toni Gianforti, Grant Specialist, [email protected] .