Liberty Dogs™ Hosts Inaugural Graduation Ceremony

The Reno-based nonprofit celebrates four U.S. Veteran and Service Dog teams beginning their lives together.

RENO, Nev., Nov. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Liberty Dogs™, a national Veteran Service Dog training and placement program dedicated to serving U.S. military Veterans living with PTSD, hosted its inaugural graduation ceremony on Friday, Oct. 30, 2026 for its first class: four U.S. Veterans from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines, each paired with a purpose-bred Service Dog. Additional classes will follow as Liberty Dogs works to pair more Veterans with Service Dogs each year.

Held at the flagship, 27-acre Liberty Dogs campus in Reno, the landmark ceremony recognized each team's completion of training and placement.

"These Veterans spent their careers looking out for others," said retired Maj. Gen. Ondra L. Berry, Liberty Dogs CEO. "On Friday, each of them left with a partner trained to look out for them. Healing from post-traumatic stress doesn't happen in a single moment, and it shouldn't happen alone. Everything we've built at Liberty Dogs has pointed to this day, from the dogs that were chosen and trained to the volunteers, fosters, and partners who share in the pride and purpose of helping Veterans heal. What begins as one bond will continue to grow into something far greater, strengthening everyone it touches."

To participate in the Liberty Service Dogs Training & Placement Program, each Veteran completed an online application and took part in interviews and assessments. Liberty Dogs then paired each Veteran with a Service Dog by weighing lifestyle, needs, personality, and goals alongside the Service Dog's temperament and skills, which were built over months of advanced obedience, public access, and task training on campus. Once matched, each team spent two weeks at the Liberty Dogs campus learning to work together, with housing, meals, and around-the-clock support provided at no cost.

The graduating class of Veterans and Service Dogs includes:

Retired Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Marc O. Allen and Service Dog Daisy

Allen came to Liberty Dogs looking for support in feeling more at ease in everyday life. After years of serving his country and taking care of others, he knew that accepting help was an important step forward. Daisy joined the program as a puppy and soon showed a determined streak. Allen says that with Daisy by his side, he's already noticing a difference in his confidence, comfort, and sense of connection.

Retired Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Jarrid Jones and Service Dog Libby

Before Liberty Dogs, Jones believed a partnership like this was something that only happened in movies. After participating in the first Warrior Wellness Program, he took the next step toward a Service Dog partnership with Libby. The small but mighty black Labrador will accompany Jones to work on his ranch. Her perseverance and determination during training earned her the nickname "dark horse."

Navy Veteran Petty Officer 2nd Class Nathan Harrell and Service Dog Maddie

Harrell was drawn to Liberty Dogs because of the care the organization takes to pair each dog with the right Veteran. His partner, Maddie, a 2-year-old yellow Labrador retriever, was Liberty Dogs' first dog. She picks up new skills quickly and will keep Harrell company while he reads, plays video games, kayaks, fishes, and hikes.

Army Veteran Sgt. Rich Earl and Service Dog Reagan

With a prior interest in partnering with a Service Dog, Earl was delighted to learn about Liberty Dogs. He served in the military police and enjoys fitness, travel, and time with his family. Calm and gentle, Reagan, a 2-year-old black Labrador retriever, has always approached life at her own pace, and she will bring that steady comfort to Earl in Las Vegas.

"Graduation isn't the end of our commitment," said Laura Edwards, Liberty Dogs chief canine officer. "Every match starts with the Veteran: their routines, their goals and what a hard day looks like for them. Then we find the dog whose temperament and training fit that life. That care is what gives each partnership the best chance. Each Veteran goes home with a plan built around their life and a team that stays with them, because a Service Dog partnership requires ongoing support, which is what we're here to offer."

Liberty Dogs opened its campus in summer 2026 and offers its programs at no cost to the Veterans it serves. Graduates leave with a lifelong companion, a personalized plan for life at home, and a team that stays in their corner.

For more information on Liberty Dogs and its programs, visit LibertyDogs.org.

Photo cutline: Liberty Dogs™ Inaugural Graduation Ceremony establishes life-enriching partnerships between Veterans living with PTSD and Service Dogs.

Photos of the graduated Veterans with their Service Dogs are available here.

About Liberty Dogs:
Built on the belief that those who served should never walk the path to healing alone, Liberty Dogs™ is a national nonprofit based in Reno, Nevada that pairs U.S. Veterans living with post-traumatic stress disorder with highly trained Service Dogs and integrated wellness programs. Together, they empower greater independence and renewed purpose. Delivered through community-based training models and innovative partnerships, all of this comes at no cost to the heroes it serves. It's a promise made possible as a flagship initiative of the Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation. Learn more about our mission at LibertyDogs.org. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Media Contact: Chrisie Yabu, APR, [email protected], 310-804-9250

SOURCE Liberty Dogs(TM)