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Soldiers Best Friend

EIN 27-4665797 · Peoria, AZ

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES SERVICE/THERAPEUTIC COMPANION DOG TRAINING FOR VETERANS LIVING WITH COMBAT-RELATED POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER OR TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY . OUR PROGRAM IS ARIZONA-BASED, PROVIDING LIFE-CHANGING SERVICES FOR ELIGIBLE VETERANS AND ARIZONA HOMELESS DOGS.

Income
$2.2 million
Spending
$1.4 million
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
43.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 87%
Employees
30
Volunteers
100
Highest pay
$125,557, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 43.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 35% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 33% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $1.1 million spent. In 2025, we concentrated on expanding our service/therapeutic companion dog training program. As a testament to this, during the year we accepted 100 new veterans into the program, introduced a new training site and facility in Kingman, AZ, and launched the Prison Dog Training Program at Perryville. In 2025, the program served 221 veterans, rescued 85 dogs from local shelters, provided 3,544 training hours to veteran/dog teams, and celebrated the graduation of 51 veteran/dog teams from the program. Provided at no cost to eligible veterans, each veteran/dog team trains a minimum of 6 months. Providing this life-changing service includes: comprehensive application process, dog adoptions, fostering, professional training & testing, veterinary care, and providing equipment/supplies & support to help ensure program completion. As part of our program, we offer mentorship and operation graduate training (OGT) classes. The mentorship program pairs graduates with teams-in-training to help guide them through the program. The OGT classes are provided for graduates who want further training for their dogs. Our program serves as a parallel support plan to each veterans medical treatment & aims to lessen their symptoms of PTSD or TBI. A biennial survey of all graduates was conducted in 2024 to gather data about the programs effectiveness & attest to the significant impact on the lives of graduates & their families. Results include: 94% reported their service/therapeutic companion dog improved their overall quality of life, 89% positive impact on social activities, 71% a positive impact on their relationships with family & others. OF respondents who experienced suicidal thoughts prior to beginning trainings, 83% reported a reduction in those thoughts.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since March 2011.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.