Our Story
NJ Dogs of Honor began with a dog named Gunnar. The service dog of Diana Pitman, a former Army Nurse facing Post-Traumatic Stress, who knows firsthand how a service dog can change a life. Diana teamed up with Ted of Ted’s Pet Country Club to train Gunnar as a service dog. Gunnar changed Diana’s life and so they made it their mission to help other Veterans in the same way. Shortly thereafter, they met Patti and Gordon Gross. They spoke about the role of service dogs in aiding veterans.
Patti then spearheaded the Maurice River Township Firefighters Association effort to take on the NJ Dogs of Honor fundraising. Coincidentally, Ted was currently training Patti and Gordon’s new puppy and in that moment NJ Dogs of Honor was established.
To Serve
Service Dog vs. Emotional Support Dog
A Service Dog is trained to perform tasks to help people with disabilities such as PTS, visual impairments, seizure disorders, diabetes, etc.
An Emotional Support Dog provides owners therapeutic benefits through companionship.
First Light
Why PTS & not PTSD?
NJ Dogs of Honor understands the stigma that can be associated by adding the “D” (disorder) in “PTSD.”
Stigma often leaves those diagnosed with this disability feeling vulnerable and hesitant to seek treatment; however, for insurance purposes the DSM-5 lists PTSD as the official diagnosis.
NJ Dogs of Honor seeks to change the conversation in hopes of increasing the number of veterans seeking help.
Basic Training
Ted DeNofio of Ted's Pet Country Club
The two most essential tasks as a service dog are:
1. To behave well in public
2. To perform tasks to assist their veteran with PTS
Zone of Action
How You Can Help
- Refer Veterans who can benefit from the opportunity to have a service dog free of charge
- Invite us to speak at your events, which helps to create awareness of NJ Dogs of Honor
- Donate to the program
- Provide coin collection locations
- Host a fundraising event or volunteer for NJ Dogs of Honor events
- Spread the word and thank supporting businesses who are participating in NJ Dogs of Honor
- Add the NJ Dogs of Honor website link to your website or social media pages
- Like, Follow, and Share on Facebook & Instagram
To Donate
Please make checks payable to:
NJ Dogs of Honor
P.O. Box 6, Heislerville, NJ 08324
Or donate online via PayPal by clicking on the button.
All donations go directly to the program with no administration fees and are 100% tax deductible.
