Start your Hounds for Heroes assistance dog application to gain a specially trained dog that supports your daily life.
A Hounds for Heroes assistance dog can help you manage some of the physical challenges caused by disability or illness. Partners often tell us their dog makes everyday life easier, opens new opportunities and brings a trusted companion by their side.
Our process is open to all serving or former HM Armed Forces and Emergency Services personnel who have become physically disabled through illness or injury, whether service-related or not.
A Hounds for Heroes dog may assist with everyday tasks, encourage a more active lifestyle and help you take on experiences that once felt out of reach. Beyond practical support, our dogs often provide companionship and a sense of camaraderie reminiscent of service life.
All costs for your dog’s food, equipment, insurance and veterinary care can be covered by Hounds for Heroes, so you can focus on building your partnership without financial worry. If you can contribute, your support helps the charity reach more people like you.
Below, you’ll find a clear outline of the application steps, including what to expect at each stage of your application and contact information. Our team will guide and support you throughout the process, ensuring you and your future dog feel confident and prepared.
Ready to begin?
Email clientapplications@houndsforheroes.com to request your assistance dog application pack and begin your journey.
See the difference Our dogs make
To begin, email clientapplications@houndsforheroes.com to request your application pack. It includes all the information you’ll need, along with the forms to tell us a little about yourself and how an assistance dog could support your goals.
Once you’ve completed your forms, send them back to us. We’ll then contact your GP for an initial medical report, this step can take a little time, depending on your GP’s response, but we’ll stay in touch along the way.
You’ll be invited to an online session via Zoom or Teams, followed by a half-day assessment at our Training Centre in Hampshire. This is a great opportunity to meet our team, see what we do, and experience working with some of our amazing dogs.
Members of our Training Team will visit you at home and, if needed, at your workplace to make sure your environment is suitable for a future partnership. It’s also a chance for us to learn more about how a dog could fit into your daily life.
You may be invited to attend additional sessions at our Training Centre, where you’ll work with different dogs. These visits help us understand your needs and abilities so we can find the perfect match.
When you’re matched with your dog, you’ll take part in Placement Training a residential course in Hampshire. Here you’ll learn to care for your dog, build your bond and work together as a confident, capable team both at home and out in the community.
If Placement Training is successful, you’ll go home with your dog at the end of the course. Depending on your circumstances, a trainer may travel with you or visit shortly after to help you both settle in.
Your partnership doesn’t end when you leave training, it’s just beginning. You’ll receive regular aftercare visits and ongoing support from our team to help your partnership grow and succeed.
Start your journey towards a life-changing partnership. Our team will support you throughout the process, ensuring you and your future dog feel confident and fully supported.
Email us at clientapplications@houndsforheroes.com to request your application pack and start your journey with a Hounds for Heroes dog.