$60,000 Military Service Dog Investment Follows Trained Canine’s Death

Many military veterans rely on service dogs to help them in their post-service years. A newly announced partnership between a pet insurance company and two organizations aims to endure the impactful owner-canine relationship, coming right after a service dog’s recent death.

Embrace Pet Insurance is investing $60,000 through partnerships with Dogs Inc., of Palmetto, Fla., and Healing 4 Heroes, of Peachtree, Ga., to provide veteran-service dog teams with ongoing training, alumni support and emergency veterinary assistance, according to an Aug. 13 press release.

Of that $60,000, $35,000 will go towards Dogs Inc. to support its Alumni Support program that provides resources and training for post-placement. The other $25,000 will establish the Embrace Veterinary Emergency Assistance Fund at Healing 4 Heroes, helping veterans cover unexpected veterinary expenses for their service dogs while also supporting adoption fees and medical care for rescue dogs entering the organization’s training program.

“Service dogs can be transformative for veterans, but their care doesn’t end the day they graduate from a program,” Scott Stice, president of Embrace Pet Insurance, said in a statement. “These remarkable dogs stand beside remarkable veterans whose courage and sacrifice helped protect our nation and who are now navigating a new chapter with strength and resilience.”

Timing of Funds After Service Dog’s Shooting Death

The timing of the money couldn’t be better for Healing 4 Heroes, which connects veterans and first responders with service dogs that are sometimes rescued from shelters and trained to help alleviate physical and mental challenges.

The investment comes roughly five weeks after one of the organization’s service dogs, Fifi, was killed by Cobb County Sheriff’s Office deputies while they were serving an arrest warrant, according to Atlanta-based news outlet WSB-TV.

The incident led to Fifi, owned by U.S. Army veteran Calvin Willis, getting shot and killed even though Willis was reportedly not the person being sought by law enforcement.

The sheriff’s office reportedly said in July that its Internal Affairs Unit will review whether the deputy’s actions followed department training. Meanwhile, Healing 4 Heroes is raising money to help Willis get another service dog, and both Willis and the organization are exploring legal options against the officers and department involved in Fifi’s death.

“Our partnership with Embrace represents more than financial support—it’s an investment in the lives of veterans and the service dog teams we serve every day,” Piper Hill, founder and CEO of Healing 4 Heroes, said in a statement. “Together, we’re creating lasting change, one veteran, one service dog and one life transformed at a time.

“We’re deeply grateful to Embrace for believing in our mission and standing alongside us as we continue serving those who have sacrificed so much for our country.”

How Partnerships Began

The $60,000 investment comes months after discussions between the three entities.

Amber Batteiger, spokesperson for Embrace Pet Insurance, told Military.com that military members, veterans and their families have long been a priority to the company and are a significant part of its customer community, comprising approximately 26% of its policyholders receiving a military discount.

“As we looked for ways to deepen that support, we were drawn to the important role service dogs play in helping many veterans navigate everyday life with greater confidence and independence,” Batteiger said. “It also felt like a natural fit for Embrace because it brings together several things that are important to us: supporting the military community, strengthening the human-animal bond and helping make sure dogs can get the veterinary care they need.”

One of the things that stood out, she added, was the lack of discussion and follow-up care after veterans are paired with service dogs. The teams still need ongoing training, veterinary care and other support after placement.

“We wanted our funding to help with those needs as well,” she said. “That’s part of what drew us to Healing 4 Heroes and Dogs Inc.”

Amanda Holmes, spokesperson for Healing 4 Heroes, told Military.com that Embrace Pet Insurance reached out to the organization earlier this summer to explore ways to create a partnership that would align with its respective mission goals.

That included conversations around the amount of time and dedication that goes into training, and how devastating it can be when the dogs experience major medical emergencies that their handlers are not able to cover.

“Providing access to life-saving and life-changing service dogs to our nation’s heroes is the heart and soul of our program,” Holmes said. “What sets us apart from other service dog training organizations is the guarantee that a dog and training are provided at no cost to the veteran, ever. The high cost of a trained service dog can be a tremendous barrier for those needing assistance, and so too can an emergency visit to the veterinarian.”

Holmes noted that while the Fifi incident has brought more attention to service dogs, the partnership with Embrace blossomed in May and has no direct correlation to that event.

Veterans Describe Impact of Service Dogs

Having a service dog helps soften the blows of military service and the uncertainties that follow that return into civilian life.

A June 2024 National Institutes of Health study found that active-duty service members and veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and who added a service dog to their usual care showed a decrease in the severity of PTSD symptoms. Decreases were also found in anxiety levels and depression, while quality of life and psychosocial functioning increased.

“At Dogs Inc, extraordinary dogs transform lives every day,” Colleen Flaherty, acting CEO of Dogs Inc., said in a statement. “We proudly provide highly trained guide and service dogs, comprehensive training and ongoing alumni support, all at no cost to the people we serve.”

Sean Brown, a U.S. Army veteran and Dogs Inc graduate, said in remarks that his service dog, Nick, “changed my life in ways I never imagined.”

Perry McDonald, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and Healing 4 Heroes graduate, said that life before being part of Healing 4 Heroes was a challenge.

“PTSD made everyday life feel impossible,” McDonald said. “Today, my service dog helps me stay grounded so I can enjoy being with my family again. When an unexpected veterinary bill threatened that stability, Healing 4 Heroes stepped in without hesitation.

“They didn’t just help cover the cost—they lifted an enormous burden during one of the darkest times for my family. They gave us hope and the confidence to keep moving forward.”