How to Arrange Service Dog Care Before Surgery or Hospitalization

For many veterans, a service dog is part of daily life. The dog may help with mobility, interrupt harmful symptoms, create a sense of safety, or provide steady companionship during recovery.

That bond should never become a barrier to medical care.

If you are preparing for surgery, hospitalization, inpatient treatment, or another critical procedure, this guide can help you take the next steps early and with more confidence.

Start Here

Use this guide to make a simple plan before treatment.

Work through these steps:

1. Confirm your treatment timeline.
2. Talk to your VA care team.
3. Prepare your dog’s care sheet and records.
4. Contact Starlight of Valor early.
5. Finalize boarding details and emergency contacts.

Each step is practical. Each step helps protect your care, your dog’s routine, and your peace of mind.

The VA may help cover certain veterinary care and required equipment for approved service dogs. However, the VA generally does not cover routine boarding or pet-sitting costs. You can learn more through the VA’s Service and Guide Dogs page.

That is the gap Starlight of Valor works to help close.

The Overlooked Healthcare Barrier

No veteran should have to choose between essential treatment and a safe place for their service dog.

A veteran may postpone or skip care because:

• Their service dog cannot stay with them during surgery.
• Family members are unavailable or unable to provide care.
• Local boarding costs are too high.
• The dog needs experienced handling and specialized routines.
• The veteran expects a longer hospital stay or rehabilitation period.
• Their service dog cannot be placed safely in an ordinary boarding environment.

This is not simply a pet-care concern. For a veteran who relies on a service dog, the animal is an essential part of their independence, stability, and everyday support system.

When boarding is not arranged, medical care can be delayed. Recovery can become more stressful. Families may be left trying to coordinate healthcare and animal care at the same time.

Reliable boarding support helps remove that pressure.

Step-by-Step Guide

Plan early. Protect continuity.

If you know that treatment is coming, begin planning your service dog’s care as soon as possible.

1. Confirm Your Treatment Timeline

Start with the medical schedule. You need a basic timeline before you can arrange care.

Ask your healthcare provider:

• How long will the procedure take?
• Will you need to stay overnight?
• Could recovery require inpatient rehabilitation?
• When will you be able to safely manage your service dog again?
• What should happen if your stay is extended?

Checklist

• Procedure date confirmed.
• Expected admission time confirmed.
• Expected discharge date discussed.
• Possible extended stay discussed.
• Recovery limits reviewed.

Next action

Write down your expected start date, discharge date, and best estimate for how many days your dog may need care.

2. Talk to Your VA Care Team

If you receive care through the VA, speak with your provider, social worker, case manager, patient advocate, or prosthetics office.

Ask clear questions:

• Are there care coordination resources I should know about?
• Is there a social worker or case manager who can help me plan ahead?
• Are there local veteran support options connected to my treatment?
• If my discharge changes, who should I contact?

The VA Health Care portal can help you review care information and locate support.

Starlight of Valor’s Veteran Resource Hub also provides links to VA benefits, healthcare services, and other veteran-focused resources.

Checklist

• VA provider notified.
• Social worker or case manager identified.
• Discharge planning questions asked.
• Backup point of contact written down.

Next action

Save the name, phone number, and role of at least one VA contact who can help if your schedule changes during treatment.

3. Prepare Your Dog’s Care Sheet

A boarding provider needs accurate instructions. A simple, written care sheet makes coordination faster and safer.

Include:

• Feeding schedule and food information.
• Medication names, dosages, and timing.
• Veterinary contact information.
• Vaccination and health records.
• Emergency contact details.
• Service dog tasks and handling instructions.
• Behavioral cues, routines, and sensitivities.
• Your expected hospital and discharge dates.

Also confirm that your dog’s microchip and identification tags contain current information.

Checklist

• Food packed or labeled.
• Medications listed clearly.
• Vet records gathered.
• Emergency contact added.
• Tags and microchip checked.
• Handling notes written down.

Next action

Put your dog’s care sheet, records, and emergency contacts in one folder or file so they are ready to share.

4. Contact Starlight of Valor Early

Boarding support may require time to review needs, confirm dates, and coordinate an appropriate care plan.

Start with Paws of Valor and reach out as early as possible if you know a procedure, hospitalization, or rehabilitation stay is coming. Early planning helps our team understand your timeline, the level of care your service dog needs, and whether trusted boarding support may be available.

You can also use the Contact page to share your situation and ask about next steps.

Availability, timing, and care arrangements can vary. Reaching out early helps create a clearer plan and reduces last-minute stress.

What to have ready

• Your treatment dates.
• Your expected boarding window.
• Your dog’s care sheet.
• Your contact information.
• Your VA or medical point of contact, if relevant.

Next action

Contact Starlight of Valor as soon as you know treatment is likely. Earlier contact helps us review options before your procedure date gets too close.

5. Finalize the Boarding Plan

Before admission, make sure the practical details are settled.

Confirm:

• Drop-off date and time.
• Pick-up plan.
• Emergency contacts.
• Medication instructions.
• Food, harness, leash, and approved items.
• What happens if your hospital stay is extended.

Checklist

• Boarding dates confirmed.
• Supplies packed.
• Emergency plan reviewed.
• Extension plan discussed.
• Pickup support identified if needed.

Next action

Review the plan one more time 24 to 48 hours before admission so there are no last-minute gaps.

What Is Paws of Valor?

A trusted connection between veterans and quality boarding care.

Paws of Valor is Starlight of Valor’s service dog support program. The program is being developed to connect veterans with trusted kennels that support those who served.

The planned kennel network will help veterans find facilities that offer free or discounted boarding for service dogs when medical treatment requires temporary care. Paws of Valor is scheduled to come in Winter 2026–2027.

The program is designed around several practical standards:

Reliable Care

Veterans need confidence that their service dog will receive consistent, professional attention while they are away.

Quality Partnerships

Trusted boarding facilities can provide safe environments, experienced staff, appropriate exercise, feeding routines, and compassionate care.

Healthcare Access

When boarding costs are covered or reduced, veterans have a better opportunity to attend necessary medical appointments and procedures.

Peace of Mind

Knowing that a service dog is protected and cared for allows a veteran to direct more attention toward treatment and recovery.

You can learn more about the program on the Paws of Valor page.

What Donations Make Possible

Your contribution becomes direct, practical support.

Starlight of Valor’s donation model connects giving levels with specific boarding assistance.

$25

Half a day of boarding care.

This contribution helps provide short-term care, treats, or veterinary supplies for a service dog.

$50

One full day of boarding.

This gives a veteran one more day to receive treatment without carrying the full cost of service dog care.

$100

Two days of boarding care.

This helps support a longer procedure, overnight stay, or early recovery period.

$250

Five days of boarding.

This can help cover a week of service dog care while a veteran completes treatment or begins rehabilitation.

$500

Ten days of boarding care.

This supports veterans facing longer hospital stays or more involved medical recovery.

$1,000

Three weeks of boarding support.

This helps provide substantial assistance during extended treatment, hospitalization, or rehabilitation.

Every gift has a defined purpose. Every dollar is tracked and reported. You can support the mission through Starlight of Valor and direct your gift toward Paws of Valor or the organization’s general fund.

Built on Accountability and Lived Understanding

Care must be dependable. Support must be accountable.

Starlight of Valor is a veteran-founded 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Our Tax ID is 45-5447140.

Our team includes veterans and military family members who understand the importance of reliable support. We recognize that service dogs are not an afterthought. They are trusted companions and essential members of many veterans’ families.

Our programs are built to address overlooked barriers with secure, scalable solutions. That includes service dog boarding assistance, quality boarding partnerships, veteran healthcare support, and community engagement.

The organization has also matched more than 150 veterans with custom-trained service dogs and reports a 60% reduction in self-reported PTSD symptoms among participants.

These results reflect a larger purpose: helping veterans maintain independence, access care, and move through recovery with dignity.

Take the Next Step

A safe boarding plan can make medical treatment possible.

If you are a veteran preparing for surgery or hospitalization, use this checklist now:

1. Confirm your treatment timeline.
2. Talk to your VA care team.
3. Prepare your dog’s care sheet.
4. Contact Starlight of Valor early.
5. Finalize boarding and emergency details.

Start with Paws of Valor or reach out through the Contact page.

If you are a donor, your contribution helps cover a specific and urgent need. It helps keep a service dog safe while a veteran receives care. It helps protect continuity, reduce stress, and give a veteran more freedom to focus on recovery.

No veteran should have to choose between their health and the well-being of their service dog.

With practical support from donors, volunteers, boarding partners, and the wider community, we can help ensure that both are cared for.

Support Paws of Valor today and help make essential healthcare more accessible for veterans and their service dogs.