Josh Allen, Army veteran and NooknRook's founder, kneels in the snow and hugs his German Shepherd service dog, Rook
Made byJosh Allen, Army veteran, and his service dog Rook
Made by an Army veteran service dog handler

A medical ID for veterans and their PTSD dog

Your medical information goes on the front for responders. A plan for a dog that won't go with just anyone goes on the back, right on the vest.

Rated 4.9
Army veteran owned Designed with firefighters, EMTs and police Ships in 24 hours
From one veteran handler to another

Why an Army veteran handler built a medical ID for PTSD service dog teams

Read our story
Josh Allen sits in the back of his truck beside Nook, his first service dog
Rook walks across the airport tarmac toward a waiting plane
Rook lies on a cushion at home and looks toward the camera
Rook looks out the open window of Josh's red truck
Josh smiles on a train with Rook, who wears his tan service vest with the red wallet
Service Josh served in the Army He has worked with two service dogs, Nook and now Rook.
Salt Lake City Exposure training at a fire station Firefighters and EMTs told him that with a service dog patient, they often don't know the conditions, the meds, what the dog is alerting to or who can take the dog.
The question Where is Rook? Josh pictured waking up in a hospital bed without knowing where Rook was.
The build Built around what responders asked for He bought an industrial sewing machine, asked fire houses and police departments what they'd want on the vest and built the card around their answers.
Today Every card, engraved to order Every card is still engraved to order and checked before it ships.

What a PTSD service dog card could say

Your medical information on the front, your dog's plan on the back. Tap a line to see why it's there.

Patient information Marcus Bell  D.O.B. 03/14/1984 Colorado Springs, Colorado
Medical Conditions  PTSD, TBI, tinnitus
Medications  Prazosin, sertraline
Allergies  Morphine
Notes  Army veteran. Speak calmly, tell me who you are, keep my dog with me.
Emergency Contacts
Tasha Bell, spouse (555) 0128
Emergency Dog Contacts
Vet · Pikes Peak Animal Hospital (555) 0106
Dog Handler · Ray Diaz, battle buddy (555) 0193
Service Dog Alerts
Handler sensitive, call Ray first. Deep pressure, nightmare interruption

Sample card with a made up name. Yours is engraved with your own details.

Tap a line to see why it's thereAdd to cart · $50

What a PTSD service dog does, and what responders might see

A dog that stands between you and a crowd, wakes you from a nightmare or lies across your lap is working. The back of your card tells responders what each task means.

Tap what a responder sees

In a Purdue University study run with K9s For Warriors, veterans with PTSD who had a service dog reported less anger and anxiety and better sleep than veterans on the waitlist. Source

A man waits at an airport gate with his yellow Labrador service dog lying at his feet
A man kneels in a park at sunset beside his black Labrador service dog
A man waits on a train platform at dusk with his German Shepherd service dog in a vest with the red wallet
What the card tells them
Interrupts nightmares and flashbacks My dog is bringing me back. Give us a minute.
Does deep pressure therapy to ground me Work around my dog instead of pulling it away.
Creates space around me Approach slowly and tell me who you are.
A plan for a handler sensitive dog

A plan for a PTSD service dog that may not go with a stranger

Rook is handler sensitive. If someone else holds his leash, he cries and pulls to get back to Josh. Plenty of service dogs bond the same way, so plan the handoff before you need it.
I built NooknRook so the people on scene know exactly who to call, and you can focus on getting better.
Josh AllenFounder, Army veteran and Rook's handler
Josh Allen stands in a snowy forest clearing holding Rook in his arms

Built like your gear, for a dog that works every day

The wallet is 1000D military spec Cordura. Rook has been field testing his for a while now, and his review is that it's fine, and could someone please throw the ball.

The red 1000D Cordura Medical Information wallet at an angle, showing its stitching and strap

  • 1000D military spec Cordura

    Holds up to rain, heat and a dog that works every day.

  • Closed wallet

    The outside shows only the red medical patch, so your diagnosis stays private.

  • Built in strap

    Clips onto a harness handle, D ring, leash or your pack.

More for veteran service dog handlers

PTSD dog questions

The ADA doesn't require an ID card, badge or registration for a service dog. NooknRook is a medical ID for you and an emergency plan for your dog.

Many veterans apply to a nonprofit program that trains PTSD service dogs, and some look for a program accredited by Assistance Dogs International. Talk with your care team about whether a service dog fits your treatment.

Yes, when the dog is trained to do a task related to PTSD. ADA guidance gives the example of a dog that checks a room for a veteran with PTSD.

Name an Emergency Dog Handler your dog already knows, practice handoffs with them and note on your card that your dog is handler sensitive.

No. The ADA doesn't require an ID card or registration for a service dog. NooknRook is a medical ID for you and a plan for your dog.

Josh makes it. He's an Army veteran and service dog handler.

Most orders are engraved and shipped the same day or within 24 hours.

Give your PTSD dog a plan, and wake up knowing where your dog is

Get your Medical ID · $50 Most orders ship in 24 hours
Josh Allen smiles in an open park with Rook standing on the grass beside him