Who We Are

RRUFF Healing Heroes is a Northern California nonprofit dedicated to supporting Disabled American Veterans and First Responders living with PTSD and other invisible disabilities.

Our goals are simple: to restore hope, confidence, and independence through the healing power of trained service dogs, facility dogs, and therapeutic mental health programs — One Hero and One Dog at a Time.

What We Do

Service Dog Training for Disabled American Veterans & First Responders

Our primary program funds service dog training for heroes living with PTSD and other invisible disabilities
A highly trained service dog is more than a companion — they provide:

• Deep pressure therapy to calm panic and anxiety
• Interrupting nightmares and flashbacks
• Creating safe physical space in crowds
• Alerting to increased stress levels
• Fetching medication
• Guiding their handler out of triggering situations
• Providing daily support that restores independence

All dogs in training complete an intensive 12–18 month training curriculum through trusted local training partners. Each team receives the skills, support, and care they need to rebuild their lives together.

Facility Dog Training for First Responders

First Responders operate in high-stress, high-trauma environments every day. The constant state of alert can take a heavy toll — influencing mental health, relationships, and family life.

To support them where the need is greatest, RRUFF Healing Heroes funds the cost of training for Facility Dogs in police and Fire stations throughout the Greater Sacramento Region.

These dogs:

• Provide emotional support to crews after difficult calls
• Reduce stress and anxiety during long shifts
• Strengthen team morale and camaraderie
• Offer grounding and comfort in emergency environments

Facility Dogs serve the entire department while on duty — a powerful, innovative way to support those who serve our communities.

Mental Health Support for Veterans & First Responders

Healing doesn’t happen alone.

RRUFF Healing Heroes proudly sponsors Mental Health Programs through our affiliated partners — fostering a therapeutic, community-building initiative for veterans and first responders living with PTSD.

Through our resources, participants engage in healing retreats and restorative peer experiences such as:

• Fishing trips
• Golf and outdoor adventures
• Group activities that build trust, strength, and camaraderie

These experiences offer space for connection, grounding, and renewed purpose — surrounded by others who truly understand their journey.

Our Commitment

Across every program, our goal remains the same: To provide life-changing support to those who have sacrificed so much for us, and to ensure they never walk their healing journey alone.

1 Hero & 1 Dog at a Time

Healing Heroes

Dedicated to the Memory of

Luis Carlos Montalvan 1973 - 2016

Final Tour of Duty - February 26, 2020

RRUFF Dog Park

Located inside Johnson-Springview Park in Rocklin, the RRUFF Dog Park has been a beloved community resource since 2011. The park features separate areas for large and small dogs, plus a fully fenced Special Needs Area designed for service dog training, obedience classes, rescue events, and dogs or handlers with special needs.

The park includes:

• A 30x60 Special Needs Area with wheelchair-accessible paths, benches, K9 turf, and shade
• Agility equipment, doggie wading pools, and spacious play zones
• 100% organic playground cedar chip ground cover that protects the park’s heritage oak trees
• RRUFF Dog Park is open every day from dawn to 10:00 p.m., making it the only local dog park open 365 days a year, rain or shine."

Advisory Committee

RRUFF Healing Heroes

• 2014 The Special Needs Area building project for Disabled American Veterans was completed. We raised over $25,000 for this project.
• 2014 The RRUFF Healing Heroes Program was launched, providing scholarships to disabled veterans for service dog training. 
• 2015 RRUFF received the 2015 Placer SPCA Hero Award for the Healing Heroes Program.
• 2016 In December, funding was provided for the first service dog training class for veterans enrolled at American River College. Graduation was held May 2017.
• 2017 A second class providing service dog training to veterans at American River College began September 2017.
• 2017 Outdoor service dog training classes are held in the Special Needs Area.
• 2017 A new group service dog training class for veterans was funded and began at Pet Food Express at the Fountains in Roseville.
• 2018 Donations received from Allegiant Giving in the amount of $17,000
• 2018 Group service dog training class began in June at Pet Food Express.
• 2018 The third class for American River College Veterans Began in September
• 2018 Over $7,500 was raised for Healing Heroes during the 2018 Big Day of Giving on May 3
• 2018 Received $10,000 from the Lyon Cares Foundation (West Roseville office)
• 2018 July 20 – First Service Dog Training class began at Beale Air Force Base.
• 2019 Received $5,000 from The Honor Group from 2018 Honor Bowl
• 2019 Service Dog Training Class began in January at Pet Food Express
• 2019 Big Day of Giving raised $7,250 for Healing Heroes
• 2019 Lyon Cares Foundation (Folsom Office) granted $5,000 to Healing Heroes
• 2019 $5,500 received for the RodsNRelics Car Show proceeds
• 2019 2nd Service Dog Training class at Beale Air Force Base began in July
• 2019  4th Service Dog Training Class at American River College scheduled for September
• 2019 Seamus Davey Golf Tournament raised $8,957
• 2020 Veterans United Home Loans donated $5,000
• 2020 RodsNRelics Donated $2,500
• 2021  Big Day of Giving raised $13,500 for Healing Heroes
• 2021 Funded Service Dog Training Class at Pet Food Express starting in May  $10,000
• 2021 Received $1,452 Gift Card from Barnes & Noble from our Dec 4 book fair
• 2021 Received $6,300 from BOMA golf tournament(Building Owners & Manager Assn of Sacramento.
• 2022 Sierra College has approved on campus classes through their Veterans Center.  Classes started in July
• 2022 Received $10,700 from donors at Allegiant Giving's Comedy for a Cause Fund A Need live auction.
• 2022 Big Day of Giving Donations $13,000
• 2022 Amos Warbirds Event Donated $10,943
• 2022 RodsNRelics Car Show Donated $6,000
• 2022 Received Grant from Rosendin Foundation $10,000
• 2022 Heroes & Hounds Halloween Hoedown Fundraiser netted over $17,000
• 2022 Allegiant Giving Fund-A-Need at Haney Biz Golf Tournament $2,500
• 2022 Walmart Community Grant $1,500
• 2022 Posh Puppy Boutique & Grooming Salon  Donated $5,000 as premier sponsor for Heroes & Hounds Fundraiser
• 2023 Big Day of Giving Donations $10,880
• 2023 AMOS Warbirds $2,100
• 2023 Posh Puppy Boutique & Grooming Salon donated $1,000 as a Hounds Sponsor for the Heroes & Hounds fundraiser
• 2023 Dogtopia donated $500 as a sponsor for the Heroes & Hounds fundraiser
• 2023 2nd Annual Heroes & Hounds Hoorah netted $17,000 for RRUFF Healing Heroes
• 2023  $15,000 Grant received from The Rosendin Foundation
• 2024  $500 Grant from 4Imprint
• 2024  Funding given to The Forgotten Soldier Reset Program  $4,000
• 2024 Big Day of Giving Donations $12,466
• 2024  Service Dog Training classes and facility dog training  funded through July- $16,00(Althea Canines, All Stage Canine
• 2024 Rosendin Foundation  grant for $20,000
• 2024 Mark Anderson donated $10,000
• 2024 AMOS Thunder In The Valley Jet Rally $9,158
• 2024 3rd Annual Heroes & Hounds Hoorah netted $20,000 for RRUFF Healing Heroes
• 2025 100+Women Who Care Placer County $15,125
• 2025 Richard M.Schulze Family Foundation $5,000
• 2025 Anonymous donation Placer Community Foundation $500 for Facility Dog Training
• 2025 Big Day of Giving $18,122.00
• 2025 United Auburn Indian Community Grant $8,000
• 2025 Placer Community Foundation - Morgan Miller Fund  $500 for Facility Dog Training
• 2025 Yocha Dehe Community Fund Award Grant $7,500
• 2025 Rosendin Foundation  $25,000 Grant

RRUFF Dog Park

• 2014 Completed ADA accessible concrete pathways in large and small dog areas. Work done by MJB Construction/Homes of Rocklin
  
• 2014 The City of Rocklin donated and installed a shade structure for the large dog area
• 2014 Cordell Firestone, Boy Scout Troop #1, completed his Eagle Scout Project by building the awesome K-9 agility equipment for both large and small dog areas
  
• 2015 Wade Osborn, Boy Scout Troop #435, completed his Eagle Scout Project to assemble and install a two- sided bulletin board for park users
• 2015 100 yards of cedar playground ground cover donated by Applied Landscape Materials and City of Rocklin for both large and small dog areas
  
• 2016 Bark refreshed three times
  
• 2017 Guide Dogs for the Blind & C
• 2017 Canine Companions for Independence are beginning their fourth year, holding puppy training classes on a regular basis in the Special Needs Area during Spring, Summer, and Fall.
• 2017 RRUFF is nominated for the 6th year in a row by the Rocklin Chamber of Commerce for it’s Business Excellence Awards in the Best Non-Profit/From the Heart Category
• 2017 RRUFF was nominated for the 4th year in the KCRA A-List for Best Local Charity
• 2017 Bark refreshed twice
  
• 2018 Eagle Scout Project Troop #29 Charles Moeller built new agility equipment.*Charles passed away in 2024.
• 2018 Applied Landscape Materials donated 50 yards of new bark, and RRUFF purchased an additional 50 yards. Both large and small dog areas were refreshed in early April
• 2018 Placer Gold Girl Scout Troop #921 painted the agility equipment in both large and small dog areas
• 2018 100 Yards of bark donated by Landscape Company in Lodi
• 2018 Nominated for the 7th year for the Rocklin Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Award – From The Heart Category
  
• 2019 City of Rocklin Parks& Recreation refreshed the bark in the Large Dog Area
• 2019 Rocklin Girls Scout Troop  #2218 painted 3 cleaning stations
  
• 2020 City of Rocklin Parks & Recreation refreshed bark in Large Dog Area
• 2020 New Sponsor:  Rocklin Family Dental
  
• 2021 New Sponsor:  Jackie Smith, Realty One Group
• 2021  3 New Cleaning Stations - Built by Hal Curtis & painted by Dan Murphy
• 2021 New concrete pad Large Dog Watering Area - Glissman Excavating & City of Rocklin
• 2021   100 Yards of Bark Refresh donated by the City of Rocklin
• 2021 New concrete bases around five benches - donated by Glissman Excavating
• Tom Shaver repaired agility equipment
• 2021 New  Sponsor - The Bottle Shop, Rocklin
• 2021 *(Dec) 50 yards of Bark Refresh donated by the City of Rocklin
  
• 2022 Joint project RRUFF &City of Rocklin -Night Lighting will be added to the  dog park 2nd Week in January 2023
• 2022 Posh Puppy Grooming Salon & Spa is Sponsor
• 2022 Eagle Scout Project -Brayden Weber- New Agility Equipment.
• 2022 Ed & Cathleen Hulbert - donated large dog wading pool Note: Pool was stolen from dog park during Memorial Day weekend 2023 -Value $750.  (In 2023, NorCal Bully Breed Rescue donated the money for a replacement pool of $800)
• 2022Night Moves Lighting Project completed. This joint project with the City of Rocklin Parks & Recreation Department provides night lighting until 10:00 p.m. at the dog park.
  
• 2023  Bark refresh again donated by the City of Rocklin in large and small dog areas. 
• In 2023, RRUFF purchased three new cleaning stations for each area of the dog park, which Gary Schloss painted and installed.
• 2023  Gary Schloss retrofitted two of the benches in the Special Needs Area to be more ADA compliant.
  
• 2024 Tim Fong repaired several pieces of agility equipment that were in disrepair and damaged.
• 2024 5th Eagle Scout Project Pending approval.
• 2024 The City of Rocklin Parks & Recreation Department donated 100 yards of new bark for the dog park. RRUFF volunteers worked to do the distribution in the large dog area
• 2025 - Owen Dour Troop 435 completed his Eagle Scout Project designing two more pieces of dog agility equipment.
• 2025 City of Rocklin Parks & Recreation donated 100 yards of ground cover for the large dog area