CST Videos

After 24.5 years in the U.S. Coast Guard, Cathy’s body slowly gave out — not from one single moment, but from decades of service, sacrifice, and wear and tear. Surgeries. Paralysis. Falls. Anxiety. Isolation. Her world kept getting smaller… until a service dog named Oakley changed everything.

Becoming a puppy raiser with Canine Support Teams is where every life-changing partnership begins.

In this video, see what it takes to raise a future service dog—from early training and socialization to preparing these incredible dogs for their next chapter helping a veteran or individual with a disability.

Puppy raisers play a critical role in the journey, providing the foundation that allows each dog to grow into a confident, capable, and compassionate service partner.

The Prison Pup Program at Canine Support Teams is a powerful example of transformation—on both ends of the leash.

Through this unique program, future service dogs receive advanced training while giving incarcerated individuals a renewed sense of purpose, responsibility, and hope. Together, they create life-changing partnerships that extend far beyond the prison walls.

A true win-win—changing lives inside and out.

For years, Marine Corps veteran Brian Chesmore carried the invisible weight of trauma — PTSD, anxiety, nightmares, and the lasting impact of being a first responder during the USS Cole bombing.
After the loss of his first dog, Brian reached a breaking point. What followed was a journey many veterans know all too well — learning how to ask for help, searching for hope, and wondering if life could ever feel normal again.

During a special feature at a Boston Bruins game, Canine Support Teams was highlighted in an interview with Jeff Papows, CST Board Member, and Da’Von Patterson, CST Trainer, alongside Bo Bruin, a service dog in training.

For veterans and individuals living with disabilities, rebuilding independence can be one of life’s greatest challenges. Through the power of expertly trained service dogs, Canine Support Teams (CST) is helping veterans and individuals across the United States regain confidence, stability, and connection to everyday life.