Image of Operation Freedom Paws logo. It is designed in round layout with word Operation at top and Freedom Paws at bottom in black letters. The circle has a thick red cross in the middle with the shadow image of a dog to the right of the red cross.

A Lifeline Through Human-Canine Bonds

Operation Freedom Paws is a 501(c)(3) (EIN: 45-2566382) nonprofit organization doing life-saving work. For the veterans, first responders, non-veterans, and children we serve, the human-canine relationships built here are nothing short of a lifeline. Our clients and dogs share a bond like no other, and this relationship opens the door to a better, brighter future.

Founder’s Story - Mary Cortani, OFP Founder

In 2010, a Marine approached Mary, seeking assistance in acquiring a service dog to help him overcome anxiety disorders caused by combat hypervigilance. The multi-year waiting lists for trained dogs from existing organizations were just one more source of frustration for that returning vet.

 

Mary knew that she could leverage her extensive dog-training experience to teach the vet to train his own service dog. She also realized there are thousands of dogs waiting for loving homes and that many of them have the right temperament for service work. Those factors combined to form a strategy that would dramatically reduce the waiting time.

 

The approach turned out to do so much more: It gave the vet a sense of mission and purpose, and as the training proceeded, it provided a sense of accomplishment and renewed confidence as well. Thus was born the Operation Freedom Paws (OFP) program, and for Mary, it was the alignment of her skill set, her capacity as a gifted leader, and her life purpose. (Note: Operation Freedom Paws was originally named Operation Freedom Paws to reflect the many freedoms that our service men and women give up to go into service, as well as the multitude of freedoms that they protect.) Mary has always considered her relationships with animals to be an important part of her life. Those relationships started with her dog’s comfort, solace, and unconditional love that helped her through her childhood and teen years and continue with the companionship and collaboration that have been a hallmark of her working life.

She has been training dogs for more than 44 years, starting in the military, where she prepared dogs for work in sentry and explosive detection. Mary is a Vietnam-era veteran and a Certified Army Master of Canine Education. Aside from general and advanced obedience, Mary has also trained dogs for assistance and wilderness search and rescue and has expertise in canine behavior modification. She is also an American Kennel Club Certified Canine Good Citizen© Evaluator.

 

Operation Freedom Paws has enabled Mary to leverage her lifelong love of dogs, her extensive dog training background, her military experience and mindset, her cohesive and teachable training philosophy, and her intuitive sense for matching dogs to clients. Some of those clients would say that Mary also has the ability to see the possibility for others even when they don’t.

 

Most importantly, OFP expresses her long-held value that helping others brings great rewards. In this case, those rewards include seeing fellow veterans restore their sense of purpose, their important relationships, their confidence and their independence as they make progress in training their service dogs and find more activities within their reach as a service team.

“The most amazing thing,” said Mary, “is to see the person and the animal transform into this amazing working team where they just help each other navigate life, and they create a new normal. My life is blessed. I may not be worth a lot of money, but I am very rich.”

Mission, Vision, and Values

Operation Freedom Paws empowers veterans and individuals with disabilities to restore their freedom to live life.

Past trauma, disability and illness erode all aspects of life, from relationships and work, to physical and mental health. Our clients and their carefully matched canines enter the service dog training program together, undertaking a transformational journey. The trust that is built within this relationship forms the foundation for more trusting relationships in the world. Although the scars never completely disappear, our program helps clients develop the tools they need to mitigate future crises, and see possibilities where they once saw hopelessness. This change is life-altering for our clients and their families.

Operation Freedom Paws connects veterans, first responders, non-veterans, and children with carefully matched service dogs and trains them to function as a bonded team.

By committing to a 48-week service dog training program and taking an active role in the training of the dog they’ve been paired with, OFP clients improve and change their own lives. The truly unique impact of our program is rooted in each client’s desire to take an active role in their own healing.

It is fundamental to OFP that our programs are 100% free to our clients. Our nonprofit organization is run by staff who share our mission, many of whom were once clients themselves. Our collective goal is to remove financial barriers, so each client can develop the skills needed to live the very best life possible.

How to Apply

The program to train your own service dog will follow a defined protocol and timeline. Here’s what you will do:

  • Apply

    Fill out and submit the application form. You’ll also need to have a letter from a doctor recommending a service dog. **Please note that while we do our best to serve everyone in need, not all applications will be accepted into the program**

  • Meet With Us

    In a one-on-one interview, we’ll discuss and assess your needs and the most important tasks for your service dog to perform, as well as determining the characteristics of a dog that you will find most important.

  • Match With a Dog

    We’ll use our best judgment and intuition, but the dog and you really find each other. In rare cases, existing pets can be trained as service dogs.

  • Begin The Training Program

    You and your dog will meet with us weekly for approximately 48 weeks (350 hours) for lessons, guidance, and exercises you will practice at home.

  • Become Certified

    Once you’re certified as a service dog team, your dog will have all the rights and responsibilities defined for service dogs under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

  • Camaraderie Builds Community

    Operation Freedom Paws is about lifelong healing, and that means providing a safe landing for our clients and their families. From support groups to therapy and beyond, we’re dedicated to providing consistent, life-saving care and the kind of transformative community that only comes from shared experience.
Fundraiser in Memory of SBC Zach E. Buob, SWCC

Get in Touch

13920 Llagas Avenue San Martín, CA 95046 408-683-9010 Monday to Friday: 7:00am – 7:00pm

  • Designate the Donation in Honor of: SBC Zacharias Edward Buob, SWCC
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