Our Goal

 

Helping Veterans, Children and Dogs One Partnership at a Time

Make a Donation

Apply for a Service Animal

Meet Our Founder – Walter Hart Jr.

Walter James Hart, Jr. is the founder and president of Canine Companions, Ltd. Walter is an entrepreneur and owner of Hart’s Dog Training, Inc. since 1987. Walter founded the nonprofit
501(c)(3) organization to apply his many skills and talents to meet needs of the community through canine support with integrity and compassion. As a professional canine trainer Walter not only loves animals, but also loves giving them a purpose to meet specialized needs within the community. Walter has focused on the elderly, the
disabled and the veteran community. Inspired by his grandfather, a stroke victim, he founded Canine Companions, Ltd. The intention of this program is to train canines to be companion assistants, protectors, and service dogs to elderly, paraplegic, trauma victims, sight-impaired, hearing-impaired and other special needs humans who may not be able to afford these exclusive animals otherwise. Canine Companions, Ltd. is presently creating lasting change for
communities in four states: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan and California.
Walter was born in Gastonia, North Carolina and grew up in Detroit. He is a graduate of northwest Detroit’s school, Henry Ford High School, and later attended Southern University and Central Michigan University. Walter thrives on challenges and has overcome many adversities in his life. He finds passion and purpose in giving dogs and people a second chance. He brings with him a sense of
community, and a desire to make an impact as a public servant.
Walter has been endorsed by a wide range of organizations throughout the course of his career servicing community members in need. These organizations include: the Phoenix and Los
Angeles Dream Centers, Agape International Spiritual Center, Pinal County Animal Care and Control, and the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.

Endorsements and Causes

Our Supporters

Monet was sent to us, with her mother Faith, by Command Control Protection Dogs of Canada to support our training programs at the Dream Center in Los Angeles. She was fostered by one of our volunteers until she was old enough to help support our programs.

Another new supporter is ThePawsHQ.

ThePawsHQ

With your help, we will make the world a better place for our veterans.

Dream Center programs for veterans teach them skills and provide them with service dogs to help them overcome issues with PTSD, as well as paying it forward with dog rescue, service dog training, and other great programs. Responsibility with the reward of unconditional love. 

Your Donations Are So Important

Your Donations Make a HUGE Impact

Support Our Efforts

Your $10

buys a dog collar and chew toys

Your $50

provides dog food for over a month for 1 dog

Just $100

lets us buy a crate for house training

Sponsors

With more sponsors and ongoing support, we can bring on more trainers and expand our facilities.

“One thing I have always understood is that unity is the key to a better world. When we all come together for a small issue. The initiative behind that issue is enlarged and the power behind the unity becomes an unstoppable force. Canine Companions LTD. is
that unstoppable force.”

“As a US Navy Veteran that has dealt with anxiety and addiction issues most of my adult life, I have found much comfort, confidence, and healing through my training and relationship which has developed with Faith as a companion and as a Therapy animal.”

“It has also given me a greater appreciation for the role that animals can have in the healing and restoration process.”

“Working patiently with the canine (and his humans) we are seeing incredible results whereby the pet is becoming a valuable asset and member of the family of animals here on our ranch. Even though he enjoys more freedom than most dogs, he is learning obedience and is not a liability to himself or others through the boundaries that Walter is instilling in him.”

A Letter of Support

Presented by Anthony Worley and The Dream Center Veteran’s Ministry April 26, 2019

This letter is being written to give Thanks to Walter Hart Jr. and Canine Companions LTD for their work with our Therapy Dog, Faith. Walter has given his time and service free of charge to help train Faith in Basic and Advanced obedience techniques and commands over the past 6 weeks. His service to our program and the veterans here at the Dream Center has helped many and has personally provided me with a new skill set useful in training future Therapy animals for individuals in need. It has also given me a greater appreciation for the role that animals can have in the healing and restoration process.
The population we work with deals with many symptoms of trauma, depression, addiction, and social anxiety. The use of Therapy animals, not only for the purpose of comfort, but also for learning a new trade like dog training can have a significant impact on the mental health and well being of our residents.
I have been personally impacted by my relationship with Faith in the raising and training process that Walter has walked me through with her as a dog handler and trainer. As a US Navy Veteran that has dealt with anxiety and addiction issues most of my adult life, I have found much comfort, confidence, and healing through my training and relationship which has developed with Faith as a companion and as a Therapy animal.
I am extremely grateful to Walter and Canine Companions LTD for helping me personally as well as making opportunities possible for our resident veteran service members to participate in these training sessions.

 

 

Anthony Worley
Veterans’ Ministry Director
The Dream Center
2301 Bellevue Ave
Los Angeles, Ca. 90026
O: 213-273-7000. Ext. 7008
veterans@dreamcenter.org