Maryland Veterans Service Animal Program and Fund

Geographic Scope: Maryland-based organizations only

Background: First established by the Maryland General Assembly in 2017, the Maryland Veterans Service Animal Program and Fund in the Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families took effect July 1, 2017. The original legislation encompassed only nonprofit entities that trained service canines. A subsequent amendment to the legislation, approved in 2019, included entities that provide equine-assisted therapy to eligible veterans. In the 2025 Maryland General Assembly Session, the original legislation was again amended to include veteran spouses and dependents as eligible program participants.

Focus Areas:

• Improve mental health and overall well-being
• Reduce the risk of suicide in Maryland's veteran population
• Provide professionally trained service or support dogs
• Provide equine-assisted therapy services
• Outreach and education activities focused on increasing community awareness of veteran suicide prevention
• Military cultural competency
• Certification and training of service professionals

Eligible Applicants:

• Maryland-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations
• Organizations that train service dogs
• Organizations that provide equine-assisted therapy

What They Fund:

• Staff costs for veteran program services
• Staff development and training
• Equipment necessary to conduct therapeutic riding instruction
• Supplies related to equine care and canine care
• Staff travel related to program delivery

What They Don't Fund:

• The DVMF does not train service animals for placement with veterans living with disabilities

Contact:

• Toni Gianforti, Grant Specialist
• Email: [email protected]
• Department of Veterans and Military Families
• 16 Francis Street, Fourth Floor
• Annapolis, Maryland 21401
• Main: 410-260-3838
• Maryland Relay: 7-1-1

FY26 Grant Awards: Ten (10) Maryland-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations were selected to receive grants in January 2026:

1. Chesapeake Therapeutic Riding, Inc. (Harford County)
2. Greenwell Foundation, Inc. (St. Mary's County)
3. Lifeline Horse Rescue and Rehabilitation, Inc. (Montgomery County)
4. Maryland Therapeutic Riding, Inc. (Anne Arundel County)
5. Promise Landing Farm, Inc. (Prince George's County)
6. STAR Community, Inc. (Washington County)
7. Talisman Therapeutic Riding, Inc. (Queen Anne's County)
8. Warrior Canine Connection, Inc. (Montgomery County)
9. Wellspring of Life Farm, Inc. (Baltimore County)
10. Freedom Hills Therapeutic Riding, Inc. (Cecil County)

Application Process

Availability: Notice of funding availability and application guidance kit available as PDF

Selection Criteria:

• Organizations must address the central priority of improving mental health and overall well-being and reducing the risk of suicide in Maryland's veteran population
• Preference for increased opportunities for veterans to receive professionally trained service or support dogs or equine-assisted therapy services
• Grant-funded priorities include outreach and education activities focused on increasing community awareness of veteran suicide prevention and military cultural competency
• Expansion of the field of service professionals through certification and training

Application Materials:

• Complete application guidance kit (available as PDF from Notice of Funding Availability)

Contact for Application Information:

• Toni Gianforti, Grant Specialist
• Email: [email protected]