Paws for Purple Hearts to open facility in San Antonio

Nonprofit helps veterans train service dogs for other veterans

SAN ANTONIO – The Paws for Purple Hearts Program is opening another facility in the United States, and choosing San Antonio as its destination.

"Because San Antonio is also known as (a) Military City, we thought that there would be a huge need for service dogs here," trainer Lindsey Velaso said.

Veterans will be taught how to train the dogs. When puppies are four weeks old, they begin training for the next 18 to 24 months.

Once trained the dogs can help with all kinds of tasks, such as picking up objects, pushing buttons and going for help when needed.

The new training facility will be located at Port SA. Right now, it is undergoing renovations, but will be complete by spring 2017.

Until then, the nonprofit organization will provide training therapeutic services at VA and Department of Defense facilities.

"The main purpose is to basically provide a sense of being here in the moment, the now, to help with PTSD," Velaso said.

For more information about Paws for Purple Hearts, click here.


About the Author:

Erica Hernandez is an Emmy award-winning journalist with 15 years of experience in the broadcast news business. Erica has covered a wide array of stories all over Central and South Texas. She's currently the court reporter and cohost of the podcast Texas Crime Stories.