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Pawsitivity Service Dogs for Veterans is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in St. Paul, Minnesota, EIN 47-1446634. Founded in 2012, we train and place service dogs free of charge, thanks entirely to the generosity of donors, for U.S. military veterans and first responders with PTSD and other disabilities.

What are the unique strengths of Pawsitivity?

• We know every single veteran personally and work with them personally.
• We serve veterans as their whole selves, based on their own priorities and needs.
• We train service dogs to do what the veteran wants, regardless of what we think they should want.
• We choose veterans based on their level of motivation to achieve three types of goals: social, emotional, and physical goals (not just focusing on one type of goal).

How do donors know that their donations are being spent wisely?

1. Proven. Pawsitivity is one of the few nonprofits in the United States that has had its outcomes assessed by an independent third-party Impact Evaluation. This means that Pawsitivity's work has been rigorously evaluated and found to be effective.

   The Impact Evaluation found that Pawsitivity's service dogs have a life-changing impact on the lives of their handlers. Handlers reported improvements in their physical health, emotional well-being, social interactions, and overall quality of life. They also reported feeling more independent and confident since receiving their service dog.

   The Impact Evaluation also found that Pawsitivity is a well-run organization that is committed to providing quality service to its clients. Pawsitivity has a strong track record of success, and it is dedicated to providing clients with the resources and support they need to live full and independent lives.

2. Effective. Pawsitivity exceeds the Charities Review Council’s top rating standard by spending an outstanding 83.67% of gifts on programs. That means that 84 out of every 100 dollars you donate goes directly to helping veterans with disabilities get the service dogs they need to live independent lives.
   
   
3. Transparent. Pawsitivity provides service dogs to veterans at no cost to the veteran, and we track every penny spent. We are completely transparent about our finances and our IRS 990s, CPA reviews, and annual reports publicly available. All our financials are in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). We have earned Charity Review Council's highest rating (Meets Standards) and achieved Guidestar's Platinum Status.

   We are committed to being open and honest about how we use your donations. We believe that donors have a right to know how their money is being spent, and we are proud to share our financial information with the public.

Our training style for both dogs and families is very personalized. Pawsitivity's goal is to find the best solution for each particular dog/handler partnership, so we only work one-on-one with clients, rather than teaching classrooms full of people and dogs. We find that this warm, friendly, personalized style is the most effective way to find successful solutions for the complicated lives of veterans with disabilities. Pawsitivity is a full member of Animal Assisted Intervention International (AAII) and is committed to positive reinforcement training methods (the same methods the U.S. Army uses).

In addition to our mission of training service dogs to empower veterans, we are committed to supporting veterans and underserved communities in their policies and as part of everything we do. Pawsitivity assets are invested in Vanguard’s FTSE Social Index Admiral Fund, which is composed of companies that meet environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) criteria. This means that Pawsitivity is investing in companies that are making a positive impact on the world. Our service dogs are trained with all-natural freeze-dried treats from Rustic Acres. These decisions show that Pawsitivity is committed to supporting small businesses and giving back to the communities we serve. 

Who is Pawsitivity Service Dogs for Veterans?

Pawsitivity is a national leader in service dog training. We are passionate about our work, and with your help, we are making a real difference in the lives of veterans with disabilities.

Tom Coleman, Executive Director
Julie Coleman, Managing Director & Head Trainer

Pawsitivity Service Dogs was founded in 2012 by Tom and Julie Coleman to address a critical gap in access to professionally trained service dogs. Initially established to train service dogs for families of children with autism spectrum disorder, the organization has since evolved to focus on empowering U.S. military veterans through highly trained service dogs that restore confidence, independence, and connection.

Tom and Julie bring complementary strengths and professional expertise to their leadership roles. Tom oversees organizational strategy and partnerships. He is an American Kennel Club–approved Canine Good Citizen evaluator with experience in nonprofit management, donor relations, and community engagement. Julie leads all aspects of training as a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) and a professional member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers.

Both are nationally trained in force-free, positive-reinforcement methodologies, having completed programs at CATCH Dog Training Academy (St. Hubert Animal Welfare Center, Madison, NJ) and the Karen Pryor National Training Center (The Ranch) under Ken Ramirez. They have also studied advanced canine behavior theories such as the Volhard Four-Drive assessment at Mahogany Ridge in Culpeper, VA.

Julie holds a B.A. in Psychology from Carleton College, with additional certifications in Canine First Aid and CPR and Understanding Autism (University of Kent, UK). She has completed in-person workshops with leading trainers including Dr. Ian Dunbar, Sue Sternberg, and Connie Cleveland, as well as multiple ClickerExpo conferences.

Tom earned a B.A. from Carleton College and a Master’s degree in Theatre Directing from Northern Illinois University, while Julie holds a Master’s in Art History from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Together, their combined backgrounds in communication and behavioral science inform Pawsitivity’s individualized approach to service dog training.

Peter Bannon, Service Dog Trainer, is a U.S. Army combat veteran who served in both Iraq (Operation Iraqi Freedom I) and Afghanistan (Enduring Freedom VII), with distinguished service in the Infantry and Military Police. His military honors include the Combat Infantry Badge, Army Commendation Medal (2), Army Achievement Medal (2), Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, and the Good Conduct Medal, among others.

Following his military career, Peter pursued professional training at the CATCH Dog Training Academy at the St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center in Madison, New Jersey, the same institution where Pawsitivity founders Tom and Julie Coleman received their education. Through this program, he developed advanced skills in canine obedience, behavior modification, and problem-solving techniques, emphasizing positive reinforcement and evidence-based training methods.

Peter was the first veteran to both train with and partner with a Pawsitivity service dog, a milestone that continues to shape his commitment to empowering veterans through service dog partnerships.

Today, Peter serves as a Service Dog Trainer with Pawsitivity Service Dogs, conducting individualized in-home training sessions and mentoring veterans who are training their own service dogs. He is also leading the development of a pilot program for Emotional Support Dogs for Veterans, designed to expand access to therapeutic canine support for those who may not qualify for full service dog placement.

In addition to his work with Pawsitivity, Peter is the founder of Paws and Effect Training Academy, a private dog training and behavior practice. His professionalism and hands-on expertise make him a trusted resource for civilian clients seeking expert dog training.

Alex Wells, Service Dog Trainer, is a U.S. Air Force veteran and experienced dog trainer with a professional background in military canine handling and behavior. His time in the Air Force instilled in him a strong sense of discipline that defines his approach to training service dogs for veterans.

Building on his military experience, Samuel applies positive reinforcement and relationship-based training methods that emphasize teamwork between veterans and their dogs. At Pawsitivity Service Dogs for Veterans, Samuel combines his technical expertise with empathy, helping each veteran–dog team reach its full potential through individualized, force-free training.

Rylie Peterson, Service Dog Trainer, is a U.S. Army veteran and accomplished service dog trainer dedicated to empowering fellow veterans through science-based dog training.

Before joining Pawsitivity Service Dogs, Rylie trained service dogs with the Minnesota nonprofit Soldier 6, where she developed advanced skills in force-free, positive reinforcement techniques.

In her role as Service Dog Trainer for Pawsitivity, Rylie combines her military experience with professional expertise to train each veteran–dog team. Her disciplined yet compassionate approach reflects her commitment to improving the lives of those who have served.

Jen Andrist, Therapy Dog Trainer, is a professional dog trainer with more than a decade of experience specializing in positive reinforcement training.

At Pawsitivity Service Dogs, Jen focuses on helping dogs develop the calm, reliable temperament essential for supporting individuals in youth detention centers, schools, and community programs. Her expertise ensures that each therapy dog is responsive in complex environments.

Known for her patient approach, Jen is deeply committed to fostering empathy between dogs and the people they comfort. Her work reflects Pawsitivity’s mission to strengthen human–animal partnerships that bring healing to diverse communities.

Frannie Kass, Media Liason, is  a former Pawsitivity client whose dedication make her an invaluable part of the team. Frannie serves as Media Liaison, managing outreach across platforms. She brings extensive training experience with both dogs and horses, and she also runs the popular Instagram account “Respect the Lex,” where she shares insights on animal behavior.

The Board of Directors

The Board of Directors provides strategic guidance and oversight for Pawsitivity Service Dogs for Veterans. Current members include Dr. Kris Butler (President), Dr. Michelle Parkinson (Vice President), Dave Mackmiller (Treasurer), Julie Coleman, and Sergio Valverde.

Local Partners

Pawsitivity Service Dogs proudly collaborates with a network of respected organizations that share our commitment to improving lives. Our local partners include the Minneapolis Veterans Administration Medical Center, the Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota, the Minneapolis Foundation, and the University of Wisconsin–River Falls.

Together, these partnerships strengthen our ability to provide evidence-based training support for veterans across the region.

Professional Volunteers

Pawsitivity Service Dogs is supported by a team of professional volunteers who generously contribute their expertise to strengthen our programs.

Dr. Jen Seidl, DVM, of Grand Avenue Veterinary Center, provides pro bono veterinary services for our dogs in training.
Dr. Kim Halvorson, Professor of Psychology at Metropolitan State University, offers expert consultation on psychological aspects of our work.
Dr. Beth Rausch, DVM, of the University of Wisconsin–River Falls, serves as a medical advisor to Pawsitivity and collaborates with us on a research study exploring the impact of service dogs on veterans’ well-being.

Real Stories of Impact

“He saved my life. He's my guardian angel." – Pawsitivity Testimonial

  We hope you enjoyed learning about our organization. Now, it's time to take the next step: donate to help us continue this important  mission.

Your donation will help us train more service dogs, which will in turn help more veterans.