Three service dogs and their veteran partners graduated Saturday from West Virginia University’s Hearts of Gold program, completing months of training to assist veterans with mobility and psychiatric disabilities.

The program, a partnership between WVU’s Davis College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and Human Animal Bond, provides fully trained service dogs at no cost, helping veterans with PTSD and other challenges reintegrate into daily life. Organizers highlighted the contributions of foster families and donors, noting each dog costs nearly $30,000 to train.