Our Stories

How a Service Dog Changed Their Life

We are dedicated to training and providing service dogs to individuals with disabilities. Our mission is to enhance the independence and quality of life for these individuals by matching them with highly trained and skilled service dogs. These stories showcase the incredible impact that these dogs can have on the lives of their owners and highlight the important work being done by Putnam Service Dogs.

November 7, 2025

Larry & Forest — A Veterans Story of Service & a Second Chance

Marine veteran Larry’s story begins long before Forest found his way to the front door. He served in the Marine Corps Reserve from 1996–2000, re-enlisted after 9/11, and deployed twice to Iraq as an infantry rifleman. On April 26, 2005, an IED blast...

February 11, 2025

Nick’s Journey Raising Forest – a Future PSD Service Dog

For Nick and his wife, Kathy, dogs have always been part of their lives. However, after losing their beloved schnauzer in 2020 and with their frequent travels to Australia to visit family, they hesitated to adopt another pet. That changed when they...

January 17, 2024

Sarah & Eddie — A Bond of Friendship and Confidence

A Loving, Energetic Service Dog Early on, we realized Eddie was a precocious, high energy pup who needed a puppy raiser (and eventually) a recipient she could love that would give her all the exercise, service dog tasks, and doggy play dates she...

September 6, 2023

Frankie — Prized Pup in Service Dog Training

Rescued for adoption and training Rescued from dire circumstances Abandoned. In the heat on the side of the road in Mississippi. This was the start of life for Frankie and his litter. Abandoned in a cardboard box with no protection, food or...

June 15, 2023

Kate & Duke

Mobility Service Dog: The Perfect Fit Between Kate & Duke Finding a credible service dog organization The demand for well-trained, authentic service dogs is high. In fact, it has surpassed the availability of trained service dogs. For Kate, she...

March 15, 2023

Janet and Eddie

Eddie, at 19 months, will begin Formal Training in the next few weeks. Formal Training is the period of our training program where a pup lives with our Head Trainer. The dog’s obedience, house manners and loose leash walking are honed to a...

December 14, 2021

Callie & Bob

Putnam Service Dogs placed Callie with Bob in November 2021. Bob had suffered a traumatic brain injury. A perilous symptom remains from his injury, his fragile balance, which had kept him confined at home. When he did leave his house, his wife...

May 4, 2021

Duke’s Story

Our pup, Duke, is being raised by Michael, a Naval Officer candidate. When he was a staff instructor at the Nuclear Protype Training School, Michael was selected for the Seaman to Admiral-21 program. He moved to the Bronx in spring of 2021 to begin...