Liberty Dogs is aiming to match 200 veterans a year with trained service dogs from its new 27-acre campus in South Reno, and every dog and every year of care comes at no cost to the veteran.

“No matter where the veteran lives, it’s paid for. No matter when they take the dog, the health care is paid for, the food is paid for,” Liberty Dogs CEO Ondra Berry told KUNR.

We previously covered Liberty Dogs’ first Leash Passing Ceremony on August 21, when five veterans were formally paired with their new dogs after six weeks of foundational training.

Three of those dogs, named Pebbles, Daisy, and Rider, walked onto the stage led by their trainers before the leashes were handed over to the veterans they will now train alongside for months to come.

The scale of the campus behind that ceremony is larger than previously detailed.

Liberty Dogs’ South Reno campus spans roughly 27 acres across 10 buildings and about 200,000 square feet of facility space, including on-site accommodations, classrooms, training areas, and veterinary care.

The program is open to U.S. veterans nationwide, with a particular focus on those living with PTSD, anxiety, and depression.

Veterans go through an application process that includes background checks and home visits before Liberty Dogs determines the best match based on their needs and lifestyle.

Liberty Dogs is a flagship initiative of the Dave and Cheryl Duffield Foundation, and the organization also relies on volunteer puppy raisers to give dogs their earliest training and socialization before they advance toward matching with a veteran.

Nevadans interested in becoming a puppy raiser, applying as a veteran, or supporting Liberty Dogs can find more information through the organization directly.