GOVCON: How Veterans Moving Forward Transforms Lives with Working Dogs

In Chamber Blog by admin

“Providing support for our veterans is a meaningful way to honor the immense sacrifices they make to defend our country and protect the freedoms we all cherish.”

This year’s Greater Washington Government Contractor Awards (GovCon Awards) Charity Partner, Veterans Moving Forward, stands as a beacon of support for Virginia’s veterans and military families. In a recent conversation with Kerri Kline, President and CEO, and joined by Katie Poulson, Director of Programs, we gained insight into the organization's transformative efforts to empower veterans and enhance community strength.

Headquartered in Dulles, Virginia, Veterans Moving Forward provides service, therapy, and emotional dogs to veterans facing physical and mental health challenges—completely free of charge. “Service and therapy dogs have an incredible impact on helping individuals smoothly reintegrate into civilian life. They play a vital role in supporting recovery from PTSD, assisting with mobility, and offering unwavering companionship and support in countless ways.”

Driven by a deep commitment to our nation’s heroes, this non-profit takes a unique approach by naming service dogs after fallen soldiers. Each dog’s name carries a powerful story, ensuring their sacrifice is remembered and celebrated. “It's our way of preserving the history of that individual who served and honoring their legacy, even after they have passed away. It's important for us to commemorate that enduring impact of the individual who sacrificed everything.”

Veterans Moving Forward is revolutionizing support for our service members by addressing both physical and mental struggles—often overlooked in our community. With a forward-thinking approach, they employ highly trained dogs to alleviate symptoms and challenges, facilitating a smoother reintegration into civilian life. Their innovative solutions are making a profound impact on those who have served us.

Transitioning out of the military has challenges, and that’s where Veterans Moving Forward works directly with veterans and their families to create a long-lasting bond with their furry companions.

“The one thing that is most common to hear is [veterans] never realized how hard it would be to integrate back into society after they leave the military, and we need to fix the stigma of the hiring of veterans,” said Katie Poulson.

“We are committed to ensuring veterans receive the best support possible, including the proper use of assistance and service dogs in line with the law. Genuine service dogs make a world of difference for those who truly need them, which is why we go the extra mile. By partnering with an outside trainer for the Canine Good Citizen and Urban Canine Good Citizen certifications, we ensure our dogs meet and exceed ADA standards, providing unparalleled service and companionship,” said Kerri Kline.

Come celebrate this amazing organization, along with our finalists and honorees who support our state and federal missions, with us on November 6th at the annual awards event, taking place at the Ritz-Carlton Tysons Corner.