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 further amended to also include veteran spouses and dependents as eligible program participants.
FY25 Grant Awards
FY26 grant applications are open. Download here.
Nine (9) Maryland-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations that provide equine-assisted therapy and service and support dogs for Maryland veterans were selected to receive grants in January 2025 in the amount of $21,500 each. 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. 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 nine FY25 grantees are listed here, along with the central component of their grant request.
Chesapeake Therapeutic Riding, Inc. (Harford County)
Grant funds supported staff costs for veteran program services, PATH, Inc. (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship, Inc.) professional instructor certifications for two staff, and equine training.
Greenwell Foundation, Inc. (St. Mary’s County)
Grant funds supported staff costs for veteran program services, PATH, Inc. professional training certifications for two staff, and supplies 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, PATH, Inc. professional training certifications for two staff, equine specialist certification for one staff from EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association), and supplies related to equine care.
Promise Landing Farm, Inc. (Prince George’s County)
Grant funds supported staff costs for veteran program services, PATH, Inc. professional training certifications for three staff, and supplies related to equine care.
STAR Community, Inc. (Washington County)
Grant funds supported costs for equipment necessary to conduct therapeutic riding instruction, and supplies related to equine care.
Talisman Therapeutic Riding, Inc. (Queen Anne’s County)
Grant funds supported staff costs for veteran program services, PATH, Inc. professional training certifications for two staff, 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.
Wellspring of Life Farm, Inc. (Baltimore County)
Grant funds supported costs for veteran program services via a mobile van unit, professional training of five therapy “mini” horses, and supplies related to equine care.
Questions related to the Maryland Veterans Service Animal Program can be directed to:
Toni Gianforti, Grant Specialist, [email protected] or by calling the Veterans Trust Fund at 410-260-3836.
List of Donations
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.
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.
The Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families does not train service animals for placement with veterans living with disabilities. The Maryland Veterans Service Animal Program provides grants to service animal programs who train service dogs and who provide equine therapy to veterans. Read more below on the difference between guide, service, and support animals and to learn about the Maryland Veterans Service Animal Program.
Guide and Service Dog Information and Resources
What are guide dogs?
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.
What are service dogs?
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.