Shannon Walker: Veterans and service dogs

Northwest Battle Buddies (NWBB) is a nonprofit organization founded in 2012 to empower combat veterans managing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by pairing them with professionally trained service dogs―completely free of charge. Operating from Battle Ground, Washington, NWBB goes beyond companionship; their service dogs undergo more than 360 hours of intensive training to master tasks that reliably interrupt anxiety attacks, alert on adrenaline spikes, provide pressure therapy during flashbacks, wake veterans from nightmares and serve as social buffers in public environments. Each veteran–dog team then receives an additional five weeks of structured bonding and handler training before being fully certified―establishing a partnership designed to rebuild trust, independence and daily functionality.

Founder and CEO Shannon Walker, motivated by her father’s military experience and her own professional training background, shaped the organization believing that veterans deserve unwavering support and gratitude for their service. Beyond training and deployment, NWBB maintains continuous support for veterans through dedicated liaison services, lifelong access to refresher sessions and community engagement.

ACAMS Today (AT): What inspired the creation of NWBB, and how has the organization evolved since its founding?

Shannon Walker (SW): My journey with veterans and service dogs is deeply personal. My father, Glenn Walker, was a veteran who served as an airman second class in the Korean War with the U.S. Air Force. He taught me to believe in God, family and country, and to regard the veterans who served our nation as heroes.

As a known dog trainer, a veteran approached me for assistance in training his beloved yellow lab, Sammy, to help with his PTSD. This marked the beginning of an incredible journey not only for Sammy and her veteran handler but also for me. As the training advanced, I witnessed an extraordinary bond in the handler-dog relationship―one I had never experienced in my professional career. Sammy began interrupting flashbacks and panic attacks triggered by adrenaline, diffusing those moments and providing comfort during instances that could have led to a fight or flight response. There was no denying Sammy’s positive influence on her veteran’s life―and so NWBB was born.

Since then, NWBB has grown from that single transformative partnership between one veteran and Sammy into a full-fledged organization with structured training programs, a dedicated team and a nationwide impact. What began as me personally working with one dog and one handler has evolved into a carefully developed model that screens veterans, raises and trains multiple dogs at a time and provides ongoing support long after placement. We’ve built strong community and donor partnerships, increased our capacity to serve more veterans each year and refined our training to address the complex realities of PTSD in daily life. Sammy was service dog #1, and today we’re humbled to have already placed dog #300, with each new pairing, the foundation of NWBB grows stronger and our mission to bring hope and freedom to veterans becomes more deeply rooted.

AT: How does mental health factor into the work NWBB does, and why is addressing it critical when supporting veterans?

SW: Mental health is at the very heart of what we do at NWBB. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, an estimated 20 veterans die by suicide every day. Behind that number are men and women who have served our country and are now battling invisible wounds, often in silence. PTSD, as WeHonorVeterans.org defines it, is an anxiety disorder that can follow a traumatic event and―if those feelings of fear, confusion or anger don’t ease―it can completely disrupt daily life. That description reflects the reality we see in many of the veterans who come to us.

Addressing mental health is critical because untreated PTSD and related conditions don’t just affect a veteran’s mood―they impact their relationships, ability to work, sense of safety and will to live. One of the biggest barriers is stigma: Many veterans feel shame about asking for help or believe they should “tough it out.” Through our work, we aim to break down that stigma by talking openly about PTSD, providing education and creating a judgment-free environment where veterans feel safe enough to be honest about their struggles.

Our service dogs are trained specifically to support mental health. They interrupt panic attacks and flashbacks, provide grounding in crowded or triggering environments and give veterans a reason to get up, get outside and reengage with life. Each dog is a living, breathing form of support 24/7 who helps a veteran manage symptoms in real time. For us, pairing a veteran with a service dog is not just about companionship; it’s about restoring hope, dignity and the belief that life is still worth living.

AT: Can you share some of the most impactful success stories of veterans who have benefited from the program?

SW: One inspiring story that highlights the mission of NWBB involves a veteran named Nick and his service dog Jazz. After serving in Iraq, Nick faced significant challenges adjusting to civilian life, grappling with PTSD that led him to seek relief through medication and alcohol. However, his life changed for the better when he discovered NWBB and was paired with Jazz. Through the healing power of canine companionship, Nick began to reclaim his life. “It’s better than any medication I’ve ever been on,” he said. Jazz has not only provided emotional support but also encouraged him to engage with the world again. Dedicated to his ongoing training with Jazz, Nick shares his journey to inspire other veterans, emphasizing that choosing a service dog can lead to immeasurable rewards.

AT: Who and where are the service dogs trained and how can someone become a dog trainer for the program?

SW: Our dogs are all trained at our facility in Battleground, Washington. Our service dogs come from carefully selected sources, including reputable breeders and rescue organizations. We prioritize selecting dogs with specific temperaments and characteristics that make them suitable candidates for service dog training.

Our selection process begins with thorough evaluations of each dog’s temperament, health and behavior. We look for qualities such as intelligence, trainability and sociability, which are essential for service work.

Once a dog meets our initial criteria, they undergo extensive training and evaluation by our experienced trainers. During training, we focus on teaching obedience, task-specific skills and socialization to ensure that each dog is well-prepared for their role as a service dog.

Throughout the five-month training process, the dogs are trained to navigate multiple public scenarios and environments with excellence.

The dogs are then each matched with a veteran based on their individual needs, preferences and lifestyle, ensuring a successful partnership that enhances the veteran’s quality of life. By carefully selecting and training our service dogs, we strive to provide veterans with a reliable and effective tool to help manage their PTSD symptoms and improve their quality of life and well-being.

AT: How has your leadership shaped the vision and growth of NWBB?

SW: From day one, this has been driven by pure passion, and that passion still propels me every single day. My leadership is rooted in a fierce commitment to our veterans and a deep belief―shaped by my own personal family experience―that service dogs can truly change lives. That conviction has guided every decision, from keeping our standards of training and placement extremely high to ensuring that we never lose sight of the individual veteran behind each application.

AT: How can individuals or businesses best support NWBB’s mission beyond financial donations?

SW: To celebrate and further our work, we encourage community involvement. Whether through donations, volunteer opportunities or fostering service dogs, there are numerous ways to support this vital mission.

For more information about NWBB, please visit our website at northwestbattlebuddies.org. Join us in supporting our veterans and the dedicated service dogs that play a crucial role in their healing journey.

Interviewed by Karla Monterrosa-Yancey, CAMS, editor-in-chief, ACAMS, [email protected] and Ben Bahner, CAMS, editor, ACAMS, [email protected]