The Four Paws and a Wake Up Service Dog Application and Matching Process
Our Service Dog Program
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Service Dogs for Veterans who have a permanent service-connected disability for which Veterans Administration has documented related to mobility, service-related post-traumatic stress and/or traumatic brain injury
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Service Dogs for individuals with mobility disabilities (limited availability)
Please note that Four Paws and a Wake Up does not train seizure alert dogs, guide dogs for the blind, diabetes alert dogs, dogs for people with Alzheimer's, emotional support, or psychiatric dogs for non-Veterans. Four Paws and a Wake Up does not train dogs that are already owned by individuals. Contact Assistance Dogs International for information about other organizations who may be able to help.
Cost of Obtaining a Service Dog
Many people ask us about the cost of obtaining a Service Dog. Thanks to generous donors and funding from grants, there is no charge for clients who are eligible for our services for receiving a Service Dog. Clients will need to pay for annual dog supplies such as food and veterinary services that can average $1,000-$2,000 a year.
Four Paws and a Wake Up-NC
Canine Services
Mailing: PO Box 12544 Wilmington NC 28405
Tax ID 84-2287904
Dedicated to creating opportunities for independence for people with disabilities guiding the person to train their own dog as a service dog to meet their disability needs and to enhance the human-animal bond
Four Paws and a Wake Up-NC provides owner-assisted service dog training to Veterans and others. We consider the needs of the whole individual, not just the need for a service dog. We work with the individual to provide solutions to daily living situations to help the person gain the independence that they desire.
Four Paws and a Wake Up-NC serves our community with a dedicated animal-assisted therapy program with volunteers and their dogs trained to work with people in our community.
Please note: The NC location no longer provides service dogs trained by our organization. We work solely with owners who have their own dogs to train the dog in disability skills. Application for a service dog is not available.
Owner Assisted Service Dog Training
In our Owner-Assisted Service Dog Training Course in Wilmington, North Carolina, qualified clients will be offered to train their own service dogs under the direction of Four Paws and a Wake Up-NC staff and experienced volunteer trainers. This is a fee-for-service program.
What's in a Name
The name Four Paws and a Wake Up Inc. comes from a military term referring to the wake ups a service member has before a new duty station, deployment, discharge or retirement. In this case, it is the wake up the Veteran will experience after receiving their four paws.
