A teen on a mission. Veterans who deserve more.
Dogs who can give it.
A teen on a mission. Veterans who deserve more.
Dogs who can give it.
Hi — I'm Will Ryan, and I'm fifteen years old. I live in Athens, GA, and I started Service Dawg Nation because a book changed the way I see the world.
After reading A Dog Like Daisy by Kristin O'Donnell Tubb, I learned how profoundly a trained service dog can transform a veteran's life. I couldn't stop thinking about it — so I decided to do something about it.
I founded Service Dawg Nation to raise $10,000 to rescue and train a service dog for a veteran. I've now sponsored two full veteran-and-dog teams, donating everything to Service Dogs for Veterans (SD4V) — a Greenville, SC organization that rescues shelter dogs, trains them alongside the veterans they'll serve, and gives them a new life together.
That partnership between rescued dog and veteran has been shown to reduce PTSD symptoms more effectively than medication alone — and the stories I've heard back make every dollar and every ask worth it.
We've fully sponsored two veteran-dog teams — pairing rescued shelter dogs with veterans through Service Dogs for Veterans in Greenville, SC.
The first veteran Will sponsored reported an 80% reduction in PTSD symptoms — and was able to stop a medication that had prevented him from dreaming.
SD4V's approach trains dogs alongside their future veteran — a method proven more effective than placing pre-trained dogs after the fact.
Through sponsorships, merchandise sales, and community support, we've raised nearly $30,000 — 100% donated to SD4V.
"His PTSD symptoms went down by 80% and he was able to go off a medication which prevented him from dreaming at night — since he would no longer get panic attacks with the help of his service dog."
— Will Ryan, describing feedback from the first veteran he sponsored
Local businesses can sponsor Service Dawg Nation and get their logo on the back of our t-shirts — helping veterans while advertising your brand. Reach out to start a conversation.
Email WillHats, stickers, sweatshirts, hot sauces, and t-shirts — all proceeds go directly to funding veteran-dog teams. Contact us to place an order.
Order MerchFlat donations via Venmo, check, or cash are always welcome. Every dollar goes to rescuing and training a service dog for a veteran who needs one.
Donate NowHere's how to get your donation directly to the mission: