Liberty Dogs, a locally based national Service Dog training and placement program for U.S. military Veterans with PTSD, has partnered with the Washoe County Board of Commissioners to develop a new policy supporting Service Dog organizations in the workplace.
The initiative expands opportunities for employees to support Service Dog training while at work and is structured as a broad framework that applies to Service Dog organizations as well as therapy dog programs, reflecting a wider effort to support volunteer service work.
Under the policy, eligible employees, particularly those working with organizations such as Liberty Dogs, may bring Service Dogs in training into the workplace under set guidelines, including behavioral standards, safety protocols, and departmental discretion.
“This is a powerful example of how local government can lead with both compassion and practicality,” said retired Major Gen. Ondra L. Berry, CEO at Liberty Dogs. “For organizations like ours, this policy enables employees to play a direct role in raising future Service Dogs for Veterans, right alongside their daily work. That’s a meaningful extension of public service. We encourage other organizations and municipalities to explore similar policies that balance operational needs with meaningful community impact.”
Liberty Dogs pairs U.S. military Veterans living with PTSD with trained Service Dogs through a program supported by the Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation.
The policy also draws on research from the University of Arizona’s Human-Animal Bond Lab, which indicates interactions with working dogs can influence psychological, social, and physiological well-being, with implications for stress levels and job satisfaction.
Additional research on Animal Assisted Interventions in Hospitals found that facility dogs in workplace environments were associated with improved employee wellbeing, including reduced burnout and better mental health outcomes among personnel working alongside dogs.
Washoe County structured the policy to minimize disruption to operations. Participation is voluntary and separate from Americans with Disabilities Act protections, giving the county discretion in implementation.
Similar policies have been adopted in other areas, including Sierra County, California, and are being explored by additional public and private employers.
