Paws and stripes is a non-profit organization founded by a retired veteran, Jim Stanek and his wife, Lindsey Stanek in 2010.  Suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD) Jim decided to train shelter dogs and use them to become companions to retired veterans who are also suffering from PTSD.

Training a service dog is expensive, as it ranges from $30,000 to $60,000; therefore, most veterans cannot afford due to their fixed income.  Jim and his wife teach the veterans to train their own rescue dog to which creates a more personal relationship between the two.  Dogs release a hormone called oxytocin which creates a bond between them and their owner which allows the veteran to feel more comfortable when around the dog.  Padua Freshman, Emily Rachiele states, “It is a good way to protect veterans from their PTSD”