Hounds for Heroes
Jake Skillett, owner of VonBernd K9 Training Center in Brownsburg, says dog training has taken him all over the world. He has trained everything from the average household pet to explosive-detection dogs for private security.
He serves as head trainer for the nonprofit Mission K9 Warrior, providing trained dogs to veterans with PTSD at no charge, and he loves helping those in need through the therapeutic animals he trains.
However, Skillett saw a gap in the good work many nonprofits provide and felt led to do something about it.
“Many organizations only serve combat veterans, and several apply each year who are first responders, victims of sexual assault and more,” Skillett says. “I wanted to help even more folks, so we created Hounds for Heroes.”
The first official year of the nonprofit was 2025. The process can be lengthy, but already, Skillett says he can see the impact they are making.
Far too often, organizations that provide service dogs simply train them, drop them off with the recipient and walk away.
Skillett wanted to improve that process.
“I test the dog to see if it has what it takes. I do temperament testing, some socialization and basic skills like seeing how they do on a staircase or teaching them to sit or walk on a leash, but they are not done at that point,” Skillett says.
From there, the dog owner or handler comes in for training with Skillett once per week, and both the handler and the dog work on bonding, skills and, eventually, certification.
“The problem we find is the person has zero confidence in handling the dog,” Skillett says. “They don’t want to ask for help, and things get out of control when the dog becomes more of a hindrance than a help. In this program, they are fully involved with the training, have access to me at any time, and it doesn’t cost them anything.”
Perhaps more importantly, each dog is trained specifically for its handler.
For example, if a person suffers from PTSD and begins going into an episode, they might tap their foot, crack their knuckles or have another tell. The dog can be trained to recognize those symptoms and will automatically jump up and start licking their handler’s face to distract and redirect.
“We can teach the dog to get really in tune with that person, and before the foot tapping even begins, a lot of times the dog senses it,” Skillett says. “Every person is different and every dog is different. Every story is different; every trauma is different. It’s never one size fits all.”
Depending on the dog’s age, training can take four to eight months. Skillett and his nonprofit board certify the handler, and each year they return for recertification.
Outside of food and veterinary care, the recipient does not pay a penny. Even lifetime training for the dog and annual recertification are covered by the nonprofit.
As of January 2026, Hounds for Heroes has placed two dogs with their handlers, and watching the two come together, Skillett says, is special.
“I’ve been blessed to be in all sorts of experiences and places, but this is one of the most powerful moments you can be a part of,” Skillett says. “You can see hope — an excuse to get out of bed in the morning. Wives tell me, ‘He smiles now,’ and daughters talk about getting their daddy back. Sometimes they don’t even realize the extent to which a veteran or first responder is suffering until they get connected with their dog.”
Approximately 57 veterans and first responders die by suicide each day in the United States, nearly 21,000 per year, a number that does not include the ripple effect of the many lives impacted by each loss.
Programs like Hounds for Heroes reduce suicide rates to less than 1 percent, reinforcing Skillett’s belief that he is doing the right thing.
However, Hounds for Heroes almost did not happen.
“It can get really expensive. Service dogs run around $20,000 and can go all the way up to $90,000,” Skillett says. “When we met our first recipient, there were only a few hundred dollars in our bank account. My wife made a reel of the veteran being introduced to his German shorthaired pointer, and the next day there was a check in the mail for $5,000.”
Other friends and acquaintances who had expressed interest in supporting the cause began calling and donating thousands of dollars.
Within three weeks, Hounds for Heroes went from a few hundred dollars to $90,000.
“I feel like it’s a calling from God. We’re going to keep our faith and the money will come,” Skillett says. “We still have more applicants than money, but it will come.”
One of Skillett’s favorite stories comes from a Mission K9 Warrior benefit event, where he spoke to a room of 300 people about the new nonprofit and its goals for the future.
He and the board also announced and awarded their first certification to the organization’s first veteran recipient that evening.
“He came up on stage with his dog, and we presented the certification to him,” Skillett says. “A line formed of people who just wanted to shake his hand. They thanked him for his service and says, ‘Welcome home.’ I asked him if he ever thought he’d see something like this, and he says, ‘Never in my wildest dreams. This has been the best year of my life since receiving my dog.’”
Hounds for Heroes is always in need of financial support, but Skillett says simply spreading the word is also valuable.
“We want people to know that we care about and are thankful for their service and that there is hope,” Skillett says. “I’m interested in speaking at any event and sharing some of the inspirational stories I’ve seen so far. Follow us on social media, share our posts and keep talking about it.”
Skillett has heard many sad stories, too, but watches with anticipation each time a handler meets a new best friend.
“Dogs don’t judge. They take you exactly as you are,” Skillett says. “If you feed them, love them and treat them right, they don’t care about the rest.”
For more information, visit houndsforheroes.net.
