Semper Fido

Each service dog undergoes a 6–9 month training program. Veterans participate in team training for approximately six months after a dog is matched to their needs. Training includes bonding through feeding, walking, grooming, and learning commands. The veteran must travel to Semper Fido’s facility in Marlton, NJ for all training sessions and is responsible for travel, lodging, and meals. Dogs are trained to advanced off-leash levels and graduate with a diploma.

Pricing Summary

Services are provided at no cost to qualifying veterans; funded by donations. No pricing structure is available for civilian dog owners as services are not offered to the public.

Policies

Applicants must complete a detailed packet including medical documentation, references, and consent forms. The organization does not operate on a first-come, first-served basis; matches are based on dog temperament and veteran needs. Travel and lodging for training are the responsibility of the veteran. There is no public waiting list timeline.

Semper Fido is a non-profit organization that trains rescued dogs to become service dogs for wounded veterans suffering from PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). The program pairs veterans with dogs from shelters and rescues, and over a 6–9 month period, the veteran bonds with the dog through daily care and learns to use commands taught by professional trainers. The training is conducted at their facility in Marlton, NJ, and requires the veteran to travel there for team training. Semper Fido does not offer training services to the general public or civilian dog owners; their program is exclusively for eligible veterans with documented PTSD or TBI. They do not provide training for family pets, behavior modification for civilian dogs, or any services outside of their veteran service dog program.

The organization is led by Brian Berg as Training Director and includes a team of professional trainers such as Arnold Apel, Andrew Gee, and Mandy Peterson. All service dogs are trained to advanced off-leash levels and graduate with a diploma. Semper Fido’s mission is dual: to aid veteran recovery and to save dogs from shelters. They do not offer training to the public, and their services are not available to individuals with mobility, hearing, or visual impairments.

While they provide training, their model is not a commercial dog training business. They are a service dog placement and training program exclusively for qualifying veterans, and civilian dog owners cannot enroll their pets in their programs.

Accomplishments

Semper Fido has trained and placed service dogs with veterans since its founding, with a team led by Lisa Berg (Founder) and Brian Berg (Training Director). The organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a tax-exempt number listed. They partner with shelters and rescue groups to source dogs and have a structured application and review process.

How to Get Started!

Eligible veterans must submit a completed application packet including DD214 proof, a physician’s prescription for a service dog for PTSD/TBI, two personal references, signed consent forms, a skills questionnaire, a veterinary reference, and a recent photo. Applications are reviewed by an Applicant Review Committee, and selected applicants are contacted to begin team training at the Marlton, NJ facility.