Gala will bring supporters together in Dallas on Saturday, Oct. 17, to celebrate two decades of empowering Veterans and supporting the nonprofit’s mission
DALLAS – August 20, 2026 – Patriot PAWS will celebrate its 20th anniversary with a glamorous Roaring Twenties-themed Gala, Paws & Pearls, on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Edison’s, located at 1724 Cockrell Avenue in Dallas. The milestone event will commemorate two decades of connecting Veterans with highly trained Service Dogs at no cost, while bringing together the supporters, partners, and community members who have helped advance the organization’s mission and continue to shape its future.
Step back into the Roaring Twenties, with an evening inspired by Art Deco glamour and Old Hollywood elegance. Guests will enjoy dinner, dancing, and riveting live entertainment from the acclaimed Emerald City Band, alongside inspiring stories that illustrate the transformative impact of a Service Dog partnership. Throughout the evening, guests will have the opportunity to support Patriot PAWS through a silent auction, with proceeds benefiting the organization’s continued efforts to provide Service Dogs and support to Veterans at no cost.
“Paws & Pearls is a special event that honors 20 years of supporting Veterans,” said Lauren Vaughan, Director of Development of Patriot PAWS. “As we celebrate this milestone, we are also looking ahead to the future and the Veterans we hope to serve. The generosity of our community makes it possible for us to provide Service Dogs at no cost. We are grateful for the continued support that allows us to carry our mission forward for years to come.”
The Gala is proudly supported by Semper Fido Services, whose partnership will help bring this special evening to life as Patriot PAWS celebrates 20 years of service, impact, and community.
Tickets and sponsorship opportunities range from $250 to $2,500. Proceeds support the training and placement of Service Dogs at no cost to the Veterans who receive them. To purchase a ticket or table, please visit the event website.
“This year marks 20 years of Patriot PAWS’ commitment to changing lives through the powerful partnership between Veterans and Service Dogs,” said Rick Stevens, Executive Director of Patriot PAWS. “For two decades, we have seen the profound difference a Service Dog can make in a Veteran’s life, from restoring independence to providing renewed confidence and connection. We are focused on expanding our reach and finding ways to meet the needs of Veterans across the country. The opportunity to build on what we have accomplished and provide Service Dogs at no cost to more Veterans is what drives us forward.”
Since its founding in 2006, Patriot PAWS Service Dogs has become a nationally recognized provider of highly trained Service Dogs for disabled Veterans at no cost to them. Through partnerships with Texas A&M and the Trained to Heal program within Texas Department of Criminal Justice facilities, Patriot PAWS prepares Service Dogs for Veterans living with both visible and invisible wounds of service. These partnerships help restore independence, strengthen families, and change daily life for the Veterans the Service Dogs serve. In celebration of its 20th anniversary, Patriot PAWS aims to train 120 Service Dogs in 2026, a significant increase from the 80 to 100 dogs trained annually. Community members can support the mission by becoming Puppy Raisers and providing critical socialization to Service Dogs in Training, with all costs covered by Patriot PAWS.
ABOUT PATRIOT PAWS SERVICE DOGS
Founded in 2006, Patriot PAWS Service Dogs is a Rockwall, TX-based national 501(c)(3) nonprofit that trains and provides the highest quality Service Dogs at no cost to disabled American Veterans and others who suffer from mobility disabilities, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs), and Military Sexual Trauma (MST.) Patriot PAWS is proud to be an accredited member of Assistance Dogs International (ADI), the only Service Dog accrediting organization in the world.
Patriot PAWS currently trains dogs at their main facility in Rockwall, Texas, the Patriot PAWS of Aggieland program in College Station, with Dallas-Fort Worth Volunteer Puppy Raisers, and through their partnership with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, where Offender Trainers work with program dogs within their prison units.
As Patriot PAWS celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, the organization reflects on two decades of empowering Veterans and individuals with disabilities through the life-changing partnership of a Service Dog. To date, the organization has placed more than 650 working dog teams across 44 states; however, there are still over 50 Veterans waiting to receive their life-changing Patriot PAWS Service Dog. For more information or to donate to Patriot PAWS, visit www.patriotpaws.org.
Submitted press release, Patriot PAWS.
Patriot PAWS Celebrates 20 Years of Transforming Lives Through Service Dogs for Veterans at Anniversary Gala added by Editor on
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