Dogs to Dog Tags Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
D2DT CREATES AN OPPORTUNITY TO SAVE AT RISK, RESCUED, OR DONATED DOGS, TRAIN THEM, AND PLACE THEM WITH DESERVING SERVICE MEMBERS WHO HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH POST COMBAT STRESS AND ANXIETY. THE PURPOSE IS TO PROVIDE THE VETERAN, AT NO COST, A TRAINED DOG THAT THEY CAN GAIN A CONSTANT COMPANION TO HELP THEM COPE WITH THEIR UNIQUE CHALLENGES IN EVERYDAY LIFE.
- Income
- $1.0 million
- Spending
- $352,652
- Spent on programs
- 59%
- Reserves
- 0.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 92%
- Employees
- 2
- Volunteers
- 11
- Highest pay
- $74,300, president
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 58 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.7 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 17% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 66% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 89% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1559% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 254 of 5 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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)
- $209,470 spent. The 2024 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report highlights a deeply concerning reality: 17 U.S. veterans die by suicide every day, and for veterans aged 45 and under, suicide is the second leading cause of death. This stark statistic drives home the urgency of our mission at Dogs2DogTags. In response to this ongoing crisis, we continue to face the challenges of growing our organization in a way that allows us to reach and support more veterans who are struggling with the mental health impacts of their service. When Dogs2DogTags opened its doors in 2016, rescue dogs lived with our founder, Torre Willadsen, and foster families. Dog training took place in Torre's backyard. This setup served us well in the early days but was no longer sufficient as we grew. In April 2022, with the generous support of our donors, we purchased property that included a 3,700-square-foot metal building. While this allowed us to begin training on-site, it became apparent that the space still lacked the essential amenities required to meet the needs of our dogs and veterans. Key areas such as on-site kennels, climate control, bathrooms, and sufficient fenced-in outdoor space for dog training and socializing were not yet in place. To ensure we could support more veterans, we embarked on a $1 million expansion project in 2023 with our sights set on doubling our facility to nearly 9,000 square feet. By June 2024, our expanded space was complete, thanks again to the continued generosity of our community and supporters. This investment represents a long-term commitment to improving the mental health and well-being of veterans. The expanded facilities provide a more conducive environment for training service dogs and canine companions, while fostering the bond between veterans and their dogs. Services - Training a service dog is a demanding, lengthy and expensive process. Assuming a dog begins training as a puppy with the best care and living conditions, it will take approximately two years to become a service dog. Even under these ideal circumstances, approximately 70% of the dogs who enter service dog training will fail to complete it. The average cost for a veteran to purchase a service dog from a for-profit organization is $30,000 to $50,000 and unattainable for most veterans. At Dogs2DogTags, we face an even more challenging situation. Rescue dogs often come from difficult backgrounds, experiencing trauma, neglect, and behavioral issues. Maturity can also affect a dog's ability to learn. The training timeline for most rescue dogs is longer and can extend up to three years before they are ready to pass the Public Access Test. Funded entirely by donations and grants, we make it attainable for all veterans to receive a service animal or highly-trained dog canine companion. Dogs2DogTags continues to provide free dog training and classes to veterans for the life of the dog. We also provide free dog training to veterans who already have a dog and seek to pass the Public Access Test. Dog training classes provide social, emotional, and psychological healing through camaraderie, support, and shared experiences with their veteran peers. Program Impact - Since day one, our vision has been to provide free, high-quality service animals to veterans for suicide prevention. Because of your support, our vision became a reality in 2024. Seven dogs passed their Public Access Test and are now service animals for deserving veterans. By December 2024, 38 veterans received a trained canine companion (seven service animals) at no cost, and 34 dogs were rescued since 2016, cumulatively. The impact of Dogs2DogTags goes beyond training and placement. We are deeply committed to supporting our veterans in all aspects of their lives, especially when they face unforeseen financial hardships. Since 2016, generous donations helped to provide $80,000 in veterinary care and dog medications; over $50,000 in dog and training supplies; over $45,000 in dog food; and over $40,000 in assistance for veterans facing financial hardships through our Thomas Z. Spitzer Angel Fund. This fund helps to cover the costs of routine veterinary care, dog surgeries, dog medication, dog food, and other critical needs up to $1,000 for veterans at risk of losing their dogs due to financial difficulties Veteran Impact- Veterans who have participated in our program reported profound improvements in their quality of life. These include reduced anxiety, restored trust and confidence, stronger family relationships, and an overall sense of purpose. Many veterans share that having a service dog has given them a reason to live. Here is what two of our veterans shared with us: Ric: ?My life has done a 180 since I met Patton (his dog). I was going down a dark path that I couldn't see the end of. Since then, he's helped me with addiction, depression, and my PTSD. I wouldn't be the same without him, I may not even have been here to write this. I owe him, the D2DT staff and volunteers everything. I?m more than grateful he and I are thriving." Jack: ?While speaking with my counselor, three topics came up that always heighten me in some form. During each of the three, Bud (his dog) was meandering around the room and stopped when he heard the shakiness/tone change. He slowly climbed on the couch, licked my face, and laid across my lap. Once I calmed down, he would walk around the room again until I started getting upset again. Then he would repeat his actions. My therapist was dumbfounded. Since Bud has been here, I have not woke up my wife with nightmares, which is awesome for both of us. I sleep better and she hasn?t been woke up five times a night to my violent sleepy war cries."
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since May 2016.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.