A Paw to Hold - Scholarships for Service Dogs

The Alliance for Attachment Injured Families knows that the price of a service dog can be cost prohibitive. That’s why we have partnered with Ragnar Defense to offer partial scholarships for a service dog for families with adopted children who currently reside in Wyoming. Families who have completed the application and been approved will work with Ragnar Defense to determine details about how many and how much monthly payments will be. If you’d like to be considered, please apply, even if you are concerned about your financial part. We want to help and are willing to work with the right family to make this a reality.

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Application Information:

Thank you for your interest in the A Paw to Hold Service Canine Scholarship Program. This application helps us understand your needs and determine how a service canine can support your family. Please read the requirements carefully and complete all sections thoroughly. All information provided on this scholarship application will be used exclusively to assess eligibility and need for a service canine.

Note: ‘Applicant’ refers to the individual in need of the service canine. This may be an adopted child experiencing attachment, trauma, or behavioral challenges, or a family member in the same household significantly impacted by trauma or mental health conditions related to parenting or being the sibling of the adopted child.

Eligibility Requirements:

The applicant must either be a child adopted from foster care or an immediate family member living in the same household as such a child.
The applicant must currently reside in Wyoming.
The family must be willing to participate in an in-person interview with representatives from AAIF and Ragnar Defense, if requested.
The family understands that this scholarship does not cover then entire cost of a service canine and agrees to cover the remaining cost of service canine training as outlined by Ragnar Defense.
The family understands that the service canine will be spayed or neutered before placement.
The family agrees to all terms outlined in the Ragnar Defense Service Canine Agreement.
The family must submit a completed Mental Health Provider Form from a licensed therapist if the applicant is currently in therapy. If the applicant is not receiving therapy, the family must instead complete and submit a Mental Health Provider Absence Form.
The family must submit a completed Medical Provider Form from the applicant’s primary care provider.
The family must submit a copy of the adopted child’s Final Decree of Adoption to verify adoption through foster care.
All adults aged 18 or older living in the household must submit a completed copy of the Authorization to Conduct Background Check form. Scholarships will not be awarded to families with any member who has been convicted of, or pled no contest to, violent or child/family-related crimes.

Access the PDF application and associated forms here or fill out the application below:

Scholarship Application

Applicant's full name

Applicant's Birthday

Month

Day

Year

Parent/Guardian's full name

Parent/Guardian's relationship to applicant

Phone

Mailing Address:

Mailing Address

Country/Region

Address

City

Zip / Postal code

Home Address (if different):

Home Address

Country/Region

Address

City

Zip / Postal code

Short Answer Questions: Please answer all questions thoroughly and truthfully.

Why do you believe a service canine would benefit the applicant?

Please describe any specific challenges or symptoms that the canine would help address.

What are your expectations for the service canine and for Ragnar Defense Training Facility?

Include any hopes related to behavior, training outcomes, or daily life.

Please describe your family's lifestyle.

Include household members, daily routines, other pets, or significant activities.

How do you believe a service canine will impact your entire family?

Include potential benefits and any anticipated challenges.

Has anyone in your household ever harmed, or is likely to harm, an animal?

Please be honest; this is important for safety and planning.

Required Forms & Documents:

Mental Health Provider Form OR Mental Health Provider Absence Form
Medical Health Provider Form
Final Decree of Adoption
Authorization to Conduct Background Check (one form per household member aged 18 years or older)

Click here to download PDF copies of all forms.

Please upload all required forms and documents listed above. If you prefer to submit the application now and provide the forms and documents later, you may email them to AttachmentInjuredFamilies@gmail.com.

Signature

Signature field is empty.

By signing this application, you confirm that you agree to all the requirements listed and certify that all information you have provided is true and accurate.

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