Paws for Patriots

Who We Are

We are Paws for Patriots, five college students who attend the University of Tennessee, who share a common value–a love for the brave men and women who serve our country and the furry friends who help support them.

We have chosen to work with Smoky Mountain Service Dogs a 501(c)(3) organization that works to “enhance the physical and psychological quality of life for wounded Veterans by providing custom-trained mobility assistance service dogs”. We want to give back to those who have sacrificed for the good of our nation.

Smoky Mountain Service Dogs (SMSD) is an all-volunteer organization established in 2010 and chartered in the State of Tennessee in 2021 and is accredited by Assistance Dogs International. In the past three years, SMSD has acquired and custom-trained more than twenty mobility assistance service dogs to assist wounded veterans.

What We Need

Our goal with working with Smoky Mountain Service Dogs is to raise money to help facilitate the day-to-day expenses of caring for and maintaining puppies and trained dogs in their care. Their facility houses twenty dogs currently in training, so the daily costs of food, medical bills, and other supplies can be costly. Your donation helps keep these canines happy and healthy.

Your donation will go directly to the costs associated with maintaining the health of the service animals at no cost to our veterans. These highly trained dogs help veterans with the psychological and physical limitations they face as a result of their service, increasing their ability to be more self-sufficient.

With a donation of $40, you will be able to feed one canine for a whole month. With a donation of $100, you will be paying for microchipping for a dog and Heartgard for six months—two essential tools that ensure the health and safety of these canines.

How it Helps

Those who have suffered a service-related injury such as a loss of a limb or traumatic brain injury, benefit immensely from the skills of a mobility assistance service dog.

Studies have also shown that veterans experience a higher level of societal and community involvement and acceptance through the effective use of a service dog. The positive impacts of donations will be felt by veterans in the Knoxville area as well as a 350-mile radius outside of Knoxville.

How Else You Can Help

If you are unable to donate today, there are plenty of other ways you can get involved! The number one way to help make an impact is to share our fundraiser across your social platforms. You can also follow Smoky Mountain Service Dogs on Instagram here or join their Facebook page here. Smoky Mountain Service Dogs also allows you to foster a pup for around a year.