"Warriors Helping Warriors" is the guiding principle of the organization, Paws for Purple Hearts (PPH). Have you ever seen a veteran in a wheelchair with that well behaved, attentive, but still calm, dog by his side? And have you wondered how that training happens?

Dr. Bonita (Bonnie) Bergin invented the concept of the Service Dog to assist people with mobility limitations in 1975. At that time, she founded Canine Companions for Independence (CCI), the first nonprofit to train and place Service Dogs. After leaving CCI, Dr. Bergin started Paws for Purple Hearts. PPW is the first program of its kind to offer Canine Assisted Warrior Therapy® to help Veterans and active-duty military personnel with PTS, TBI and mobility issues.

The dogs provide both physical and mental support and can be very helpful in mental health treatment. With the Bergin method our brave injured Warriors become involved in the training and preparation of service dogs for their comrades in need. The Warriors themselves actively train Service Dogs for their injured comrades. “The whole point of Paws for Purple Hearts is that it builds on the time-honored tradition of soldiers giving a hand to other soldiers, just like we did on the battlefield together.” — Steve Moore, Sergeant, U.S. Army (Ret.)

Elise Vitale 1st VP, Programs