Celebrating Six New Veteran–Service Dog Teams: A Special Graduation with Dog Tag Buddies

On November 8, I had the privilege of attending a truly meaningful event at the Dog Tag Buddies training facility here in Billings. Surrounded by a small, supportive group of about a dozen friends, family members, and staff, six veteran–service dog teams officially graduated after completing two years of intensive training together. It was a milestone for the veterans, their dogs, the Dog Tag Buddies organization — and for us at Kinetic Greenhouse as well.

A Mission That Changes Lives

Dog Tag Buddies’ mission centers on pairing veterans with service dogs and using the training process itself as a pathway toward healing. Many of the veterans they serve live with PTSD or traumatic brain injuries and face coping challenges like isolation, loss of interest, or emotional detachment. Through ongoing training with their dog, veterans learn new tools for managing their daily struggles while building trust, connection, and confidence.

Each team spends two full years in the program, beginning with basic obedience before progressing into advanced obedience, task-specific training, and eventually public access work. During this final phase, trainers accompany the teams into real-world settings throughout the community, helping them prepare for everyday life with their service dog by their side.

A Special Cohort

This graduation was particularly meaningful for us because it marked the first cohort to complete the program since Kinetic began supporting Dog Tag Buddies. The graduating teams included Team Meatball, Team Sixx, Team Tater, Team Ram, Team Chessa, and one team whose name I sadly didn’t catch—but each one had a unique story, a unique bond, and a remarkable journey behind them.

One of my favorite moments was seeing the pride from one of the small but mighty dog teams. Service dogs are often large breeds, but this team proved that determination, consistency, and heart matter far more than size. Watching them walk across the room (and dance a little) to receive their certificate was incredibly moving — and the entire crowd felt it.

A Moving Celebration

One by one, the veterans shook hands with their trainer and accepted their certificate while their dogs — patient, loyal, and playing it cool — stood at their side. The dogs even wore tiny graduation caps for photos, which added such a joyful and heartwarming touch to the ceremony.

What struck me most, though, was seeing spouses, children, and friends there to cheer for each veteran. Their support was palpable. The partnership between a veteran and their dog is personal and profound — but knowing that their loved ones were there, acknowledging the work, growth, and emotional journey behind those two years, made the moment even more powerful.

These graduates are a testament to the life-changing work Dog Tag Buddies does every single day. Veterans return from service forever changed — but watching them build trust and connection with their dogs, learning to navigate challenges together, and arriving at this milestone was something I won’t forget.

Kinetic Greenhouse’s Role in the Journey

At Kinetic Greenhouse, we’re honored to help Dog Tag Buddies expand their reach across Montana and into neighboring states through the strategic use of Google Ad Grants. Supporting local nonprofits is deeply rooted in our team’s values, and being part of such a meaningful mission — one that directly impacts veterans right here in our backyard — means a lot to me.

Seeing firsthand the result of the work Dog Tag Buddies does, and knowing that we played a part in helping more veterans find this life-changing program, was incredibly rewarding.