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
Dedicated to creating opportunities for independence for people with disabilities with the gift of a task-trained service dog
and to enhancing the human-animal bond
Four Paws and a Wake Up-NC is a service dog provider for 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.
Serving People with Disabilities
Thousands of people can benefit from the gift of a service dog. Yet, many do not know what a service dog can do for them or they do not know organizations can and will help; without charging fees. Four Paws and a Wake Up provides trained service dogs on a limited basis at no cost.
Serving our Community
Providing Animal-Assisted Therapy traning and services in the greater Wilmington, NC and Raleigh, NC areas.
Owner Assisted Service Dog Training
In our 10-month 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.
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.
