Canines For Courage

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Warrendale, PA
Canines For Courage

Giving back to heroes in our community with life-changing companions and fur-ever love. We provide companion, service and support dogs for local heroes.

What makes us special? We match heroes with their dogs as puppies, so they can bond early and successfully. We meet the needs of our heroes, instead of training a dog to an unknown person with unknown needs. We find heroes who serve our community so we can give back locally. Every dollar we raise and goes directly to our recipients and our puppies.

04/30/2026

Some people don’t just believe in the mission — they live it.
Debbi Martell is one of those people.

A retired nurse, a member of our board, and a certified therapy dog handler, Deb has spent years showing up for others. Whether it’s in hospitals, nursing homes, or community events, she and Titus have brought comfort, calm, and connection to people who needed it most.

This past weekend, Deb and Titus were back at it — continuing their training and investing even more into the work they care deeply about.

That’s what this is really about. Not just placing dogs, but building relationships that go on to serve others.

Proud of you, Debbi and we are grateful for the example you set.

— Canines for Courage- Pierre

12/12/2025

Alvin and Ripley represented Canines for Courage tonight at
https://100plusmanpittsburgh.org

12/11/2025

Ripley spent the afternoon doing what our dogs do best — bringing comfort and connection to someone who needed it. Their impact in our community grows with every visit, especially this time of year.

If you know someone who could use the support of one of our dogs, you can nominate them on our website. Our dogs are ready to serve.

11/27/2025

From Ripley, Titus, and all of us at Canines for Courage.
May your plates be full, your homes be warm, and your laps be open.

08/12/2025

🐾 Journey to Service: David & Alvin — Week 1 Update

Alvin officially went home with David on Sunday, and their service dog training journey is already off to a strong start.

First win: Alvin’s sleep cycle has been a manageable 10:00 PM – 1:30 AM and then 2:30 AM – 6:00 AM. For a young pup, that’s a big victory!

David’s older dog, Dug, is already stepping into the role of mentor, laying beside Alvin’s crate through the night to offer comfort. And with the help of a frozen Kong, Alvin is learning that bedtime is a safe, calm time.

Training cycle focus this week:

Bonding — building trust between David and Alvin, and between Alvin and Dug.

Crate comfort — helping Alvin feel secure and calm when resting.

Sleep rhythm — getting used to a predictable night routine (crucial for future service work).

Early cues — starting with name recognition, “sit,” and positive reinforcement for calm behavior.

We’ll be following David and Alvin’s journey from these first puppy nights all the way to Alvin’s future as a fully trained service dog. Every step, every milestone, every tail wag matters. 🐶✨

08/10/2025

Gotcha Day Alert! 🇺🇸🐾
Today we had the honor of sending one of our newest four-legged heroes home with his person — Dave, a retired state trooper and proud U.S. Army veteran.

Dave has spent his life protecting and serving, and now it’s our turn to serve him — with a loyal companion by his side. This incredible dog will be more than a best friend; he’ll be a source of comfort, support, and unconditional love as they start this new chapter together.

Welcome home, you two — your journey is just beginning. ❤️🇺🇸🐕
Berkley Creek Labradors
Butler VA Health Care System

06/04/2025

We are excited to announce our new program with the Butler Veteran Community Partnership (VCP). Veteran Community Partnerships (VCPs) are organized partnerships where local VA facilities connect with state and local community services and agencies to enhance the health and well-being of Veterans. Butler VA Health Care System

This collaboration marks an important step in strengthening community support for those who have served the nation. We are incredibly excited about this partnership with the Butler VA. By combining our resources, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of Veterans and their families. Learn more about this impactful partnership and how you can support our mission by visiting our website www.caninesforcourage.org

05/13/2025

🚒🐾 Chief Rocky Reporting for Duty!
Looking like he owns the place—and honestly, we’re not mad about it.

Meet Rocky, sitting tall, proud, and ridiculously handsome on the bumper of a fire truck like he’s about to drop the hottest calendar of the year. 🔥🐶

Donated to Troy Riddle—Collier Township EMS and Kirwan Heights Fire Department—Rocky has officially wrapped up puppy training and starts his therapy dog training next week.

From firehouse mascot to future therapy dog, Rocky’s mission is just getting started. He’s here to serve, support, and maybe steal a few hearts along the way. 💪❤️

11/06/2024

Our pups are doing GREAT things in the community . Here is a picture of Oakley from October 2024 at Canonsburg’s Downtown Pet Palooza. Oakley was helping share vital information about CPR and the life-saving blood program. Oakley, a therapy dog in training, was the special guest and stole the show!

07/14/2024

Welcoming Oakley to a New Home!
🎉🐾 Exciting News from Canines for Courage! 🐾🎉

We are thrilled to announce the latest addition to our extended family—a precious puppy named Oakley! Today, we had the incredible honor of donating Oakley to a dedicated member of our community.

Our recipient, a committed volunteer firefighter and EMS professional, is eager to train Oakley as a service dog for the local fire department and EMS agency. This special partnership is a testament to the unwavering dedication and service that our first responders provide every day.

This community hero is not only active in emergency services but also serves on the local borough council and volunteers as a youth sports coach. As a lifelong resident of Washington County, he is deeply invested in the safety and well-being of his community.

We are excited to see Oakley grow and develop into a crucial member of the team, ready to support both the fire company,EMS and our recipients family!

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who supports Canines for Courage—your contributions make these life-changing moments possible!

For more information about Canines for Courage or to learn how you can get involved, please visit our website or contact us directly. Together, we can continue to make a difference, one paw at a time. 🐶❤️

Address

Warrendale, PA
16066

Telephone

+17242418527

Website

https://caninesforcourage.org/

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