Smithtown, NY and Columbia, MO, Sept. 29, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — IMAGES OF SARGE CAN BE FOUND HERE

America’s VetDogs, a national nonprofit that provides custom trained service dogs to veterans and first responders with disabilities, is proud to join forces with Veterans United Home Loans, a full-service national direct lender based in Columbia, Missouri, to raise a future service dog for a veteran or first responder with disabilities.

Sarge is a 15-week-old male Labrador Retriever. Over the next 14 to 18 months, this adorable pup will begin his journey of basic training and socialization alongside Veterans United Home Loans staff and community. He’ll be a familiar face in the office and throughout Columbia where he’ll gain exposure to a variety of environments that are essential to shaping him into a confident and calm future service dog. After completing his basic training, Sarge will return to America’s VetDogs headquarters in Smithtown, N.Y., to begin his formal training. There, he’ll prepare for his ultimate mission of being placed with a veteran or first responder with disabilities.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to give back, even in a small way, to those who served,” said Jennifer Heishman, a loan officer at Veterans United Home Loans who will be fostering Sarge. “Sarge and I will be learning together, and I’m excited to watch him grow alongside our team and community. With the support of Veterans United and VetDogs, I know he’ll one day help provide greater independence to a Veteran or first responder. I’m proud our organization gets to be part of that journey.”

“We are proud to partner with Veterans United Home Loans on this meaningful journey through our ‘Puppy with a Purpose’ program,” said John Miller, president and CEO of America’s VetDogs. “This partnership brings together our shared commitment to honoring and supporting those who have served our country. We’re excited to watch this puppy learn, grow, and ultimately become a highly trained service dog, providing greater independence and companionship to a veteran or first responder.”

Fans can follow the pup’s journey via the Veterans United Home Loans social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram, to stay up to date on his training and local appearances. For more on America’s VetDogs and ways to get involved, visit VetDogs.org.

About America’s VetDogs
For more than 20 years, America’s VetDogs (www.VetDogs.org) has trained and placed guide and service dogs to provide independence, enhanced mobility, and companionship to veterans with disabilities from all eras. In 2015, VetDogs opened its programs to first responders, including fire, police, and emergency medical personnel.  America’s VetDogs is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization founded by the Guide Dog Foundation and serves clients from across the United States. VetDogs relies on contributions from generous individuals, corporations, service clubs, and foundations to fund its mission to help those who have served our country live with dignity and independence. It costs over $50,000 to breed, raise, train, and place one assistance dog, but America’s VetDogs provides its services completely free of charge to the individual. America’s VetDogs has been accredited by both the International Guide Dog Federation and Assistance Dogs International. 

About Veterans United Home Loans
Veterans United Home Loans, a full-service national direct lender based in Columbia, Missouri, closed more than $26 billion in loans in fiscal 2025 and was the nation’s No. 1 VA purchase lender, according to Department of Veterans Affairs Lender Statistics. The company’s mission is to help Veterans and service members take advantage of the home loan benefits earned by their service.

VeteransUnited.com | 1-800-884-5560 | 550 Veterans United Drive, Columbia, MO 65201 | Veterans United Home Loans NMLS # 1907 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). Private lender. Not endorsed or sponsored by the Dept. of Veterans Affairs or any government agency. Licensed in all 50 states. Military advisors are paid employees of Veterans United. For State Licensing information, please visit www.veteransunited.com/licenses. Equal Housing Opportunity.

###


Jamie Vullo
America's VetDogs 
304-839-2551
Jamie.Vullo@guidedog.org

Media gallery

About The Author
Guide Dog Foundation