GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) – Green Bay Packers Give Back announced Tuesday it has awarded Veterans Impact Grants of $125,000 each to two Wisconsin organizations serving Veterans: Dogs2DogTags and Guitars for Vets.
This is the sixth consecutive year Packers Give Back has awarded the Veterans Impact Grant to organizations serving Veterans and their families.
Dogs2DogTags
Dogs2DogTags (D2DT), based in Plymouth, Wis., pairs Veterans experiencing PTSD and anxiety with trained rescued or donated canine companions. In 2024, the organization expanded to offer formal service dog training, preparing Veterans and their dogs to navigate public settings, the workplace and daily life. D2DT also works with Veterans who already own a dog, preparing those animals for service or therapy roles.
Since its founding in 2016, D2DT has paired 38 Veterans with dogs, including eight service dog teams, supported by more than 9,083 hours of structured, trainer-led training and Veteran instruction — approximately 1,920 of those hours dedicated to service dog training. There is no cost for Veterans to participate or receive a trained dog.
“What we do goes beyond training dogs. It’s about giving Veterans the tools, the support, and the community they need to heal and move forward with confidence,” said Tammy Graf, executive director at D2DT. “We’re incredibly grateful to the Green Bay Packers for strengthening that impact.”
“As we approach our 10th anniversary this April, we’re proud of the decade of work behind us,” said Torre Willadsen, D2DT founder, president and lead trainer. “We remain committed to preparing Veteran-dog teams for real-world environments and long-term success, and we’re grateful for partners like the Green Bay Packers who help us continue that mission.”
Guitars for Vets
Guitars for Vets is a national organization with active Wisconsin chapters in Milwaukee, Racine and inside the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center in Milwaukee. The grant funding will remain in Wisconsin to serve Veterans in those chapters.
The organization offers a 10-week guitar instruction program for Veterans dealing with physical injuries, PTSD and other emotional distress. Upon completing the program, graduates may participate in monthly group sessions. The program is run by volunteers and community partners and provides each participant with free instruction, a new instrument and an accessory kit.
In 2025, 1,995 Veterans graduated from the program nationwide. Since the organization was founded in 2007, 17,000 Veterans have been served across 147 chapters and more than 200 practice locations. More than 800 volunteers deliver one-on-one guitar instruction annually.
“We are deeply grateful to the Green Bay Packers for this extraordinary investment in our Veterans,” said Anthony Paolino. “This generous support will directly expand access to our music instruction and therapeutic programming across Wisconsin, ensuring more Veterans can find healing, connection, and renewed purpose through the power of music and community.”
About Packers Give Back
The Veterans Impact Grants are a component of the Green Bay Packers Give Back program. Combined with other charitable endeavors, Packers Give Back contributed more than $13 million in charitable impact in the past year.
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