Sector toolkit
Veterans Services Toolkit
Practical guidance and resources for professionals supporting veterans whose health, housing, transition or personal circumstances may be affecting the care, welfare or future of their dog.
It does not replace clinical assessment, crisis intervention, safeguarding procedures, statutory responsibilities, veterinary advice, service-animal assessment or animal-welfare enforcement.
Getting started
When to use this toolkit
Use the pathway when a veteran has a dog and their current circumstances are affecting, or may soon affect, the dog’s care, welfare or living arrangements.
Health or wellbeing deterioration
A change in physical health, mental health or wellbeing is making everyday dog care, routines or decision-making more difficult.
Hospital admission or crisis support
The veteran may be admitted to hospital, enter crisis accommodation or require urgent support without a plan for their dog.
Difficulty managing daily dog care
Walking, feeding, veterinary care, exercise, transport or supervision has become difficult to maintain.
Financial or benefits pressure
The cost of food, veterinary treatment, transport or practical dog care is adding pressure, including during benefit delays or transition from service.
Housing or resettlement instability
The veteran is facing homelessness, unsuitable housing, relocation, eviction or pet-related accommodation restrictions.
Isolation or fear of separation
The dog may be a primary source of companionship, routine or emotional security, and fear of separation is increasing distress or preventing engagement with support.
Toolkit resources
Choose what you need
Work through the toolkit in order or open the individual resource most relevant to the veteran or situation.
Professional guidance
Staff Guidance
Understand staff responsibilities, professional boundaries and how to introduce dog-inclusive support.Client conversations
Conversation Prompts
Use sensitive questions and suggested wording to explore how the veteran and their dog are managing.Identify support needs
Dog-Support Assessment
Review practical needs, immediate concerns, support networks and the veteran’s preferred outcome.Decision support
Referral Flowchart
Follow the pathway from initial identification through consent, referral and ongoing review.Secure referral
Professional Referral Form
Submit a proportionate professional referral after discussing the pathway and obtaining informed consent.Information to share
Client Leaflet
Give clients clear information about HomeWagger, available support and what happens after a referral.Practical support
Support Directory
Explore services and support options that may help someone continue caring safely for their dog.Staff learning
Veterans Services Learning Module
Build staff confidence through structured learning about dog-inclusive veteran support and referral practice.Printable resources
Toolkit Downloads
Access quick-reference sheets, flowcharts, client materials and staff briefing resources.Implementation review
Annual Pathway Review
Review toolkit usage, staff feedback, referral outcomes and any changes needed within your organisation.Standard pathway
From concern to coordinated support
The toolkit gives staff a clear route for recognising dog-related pressures within veteran support and responding proportionately.
Identify
Recognise that a veteran’s circumstances may be affecting their dog.
Discuss
Explore the situation sensitively and establish the veteran’s preferred outcome.
Assess
Identify immediate risks, practical barriers and existing sources of support.
Refer
Obtain informed consent and submit a proportionate referral to HomeWagger.
Support
HomeWagger explores appropriate support, navigation and welfare-first options.
Review
Review progress alongside the veteran’s existing care, recovery, housing or support plan.
Roles and boundaries
What staff should and should not do
The pathway supports professional decision-making without transferring clinical, safeguarding or statutory responsibility.
Staff should
- Ask whether the veteran has a dog.
- Explore whether the dog is affected by current circumstances.
- Identify immediate human or animal welfare risks.
- Establish the veteran’s preferred outcome.
- Explain HomeWagger’s role accurately.
- Obtain informed consent before referring.
- Continue normal care and safeguarding procedures.
Staff are not expected to
- Diagnose dog behaviour or provide veterinary advice.
- Promise funding, temporary care or rehoming.
- Investigate suspected animal-welfare offences.
- Assess whether a dog is legally dangerous.
- Transfer clinical or safeguarding responsibility.
- Use HomeWagger instead of emergency procedures.
- Guarantee a particular support outcome.
Organisation implementation
Your toolkit progress
Track the practical steps involved in introducing the Veterans Services Toolkit across your organisation.
Implementation progress
Veterans Services Toolkit
Printable resources
Toolkit downloads
Download resources for staff briefings, veteran conversations and internal pathway implementation.
Staff resource
Staff Guidance Document
Professional responsibilities, veteran-centred pathway use and boundaries.Quick reference
Conversation Prompt Card
Suggested questions for sensitive conversations with veterans.Pathway resource
Referral Flowchart
Printable decision pathway for staff and teams.Client resource
Support for You and Your Dog
Clear information for veterans considering a referral.Implementation resource
Staff Briefing Pack
Introduce the pathway and toolkit to veteran-facing teams.Desk reference
Staff Quick Reference
A concise summary of veteran-specific triggers, actions and referral steps.Related support
HomeWagger guidance to use with clients
These public guides provide practical information that can be shared directly with veterans or used during support planning.
Welfare-first outcomes
What this pathway aims to achieve
The goal is to reduce uncertainty, identify realistic options and protect the relationship between veterans and their dogs wherever it is safe and appropriate to do so.
Safe continuation of the veteran–dog relationship.
Temporary support during a crisis or difficult period.
Access to food, veterinary, walking or behaviour support.
A realistic contingency plan for the veteran and their dog.
Reduced distress, isolation and uncertainty about the dog.
Responsible rehoming only where necessary and appropriate.
Toolkit support
Need help with a veteran or your organisation’s pathway?
Contact HomeWagger for implementation guidance, referral support or help deciding which resource to use.
The HomeWagger Promise
Support first. Welfare always.
HomeWagger helps professionals explore realistic support before a permanent decision is made about a dog’s future. Where rehoming becomes necessary, the aim is to support a responsible, informed and welfare-first pathway.