About Us
Empowering Veterans Through Animal Companionship
For many veterans, the unconditional bond with a shelter dog offers emotional healing and daily stability that medication and therapy alone cannot provide.
The Military Animal Project connects veterans living with post-traumatic stress (PTS), traumatic brain injury (TBI), military sexual trauma (MST), physical disability, anxiety, and depression to trained rescue dogs through personalized programs that foster trust, purpose, and recovery.
Every service we provide is completely FREE for eligible veterans.
Our Story
The Military Animal Project traces its roots to 2014 when Ron and Mardu Lydick launched Pets for Vets Ventura County to support local veterans through the healing power of companion animals. What began as a small regional initiative quickly showed the deep impact animal bonds could have on veterans returning home.
In 2018, Mardu Lydick partnered with Bob Horrell to expand that mission by founding the Military Animal Project. The new organization was created to serve veterans facing more complex challenges.
Their vision was to offer a highly personalized approach, pairing veterans with service dogs, emotional support dogs, and equine companions.
Before his passing in 2024, Bob played a pivotal role in building the organization’s foundation and programs. Today, founding members, Mardu and Ron Lydick continue to lead the organization with a team of more than 80 volunteers and over 65 certified therapy dog teams across California and Nevada.
Our Facility
In 2022, our mission expanded through an extraordinary gift from Ventura County WWII Navy “Seabee” Veteran William “Bill” L. Mors (1923-2021).
His generosity enabled us to acquire a 44-acre property in Reno, Nevada, dedicated to veteran healing.
This transformative facility provides:
- A permanent home for our animal support services
- Space for veterans from across the country
- Customized programming at no cost to veterans
- Travel, lodging, and meals for participants
- Bill’s legacy lives on through every veteran who finds healing here.
Financials
Military Animal Project is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to using every dollar where it matters most: supporting veterans and the shelter animals paired with them. Our IRS Form 990 and reviewed financial statements are provided below.
Reviewed Financial Statements
IRS Form 990
News & Events
Ronald Milton Lydick, cofounder and CFO of Military Animal Project, passed away on February 13, 2026. His life was defined by service, generosity, and an unwavering belief in second chances, for both people and animals.
Ronald Milton Lydick, cofounder and CFO of Military Animal Project, passed away on February 13, 2026. His life was defined by service, generosity, and an unwavering belief in second chances, for both people and animals.
The Military Animal Project received a renewed $10,000 grant from the Gene Haas Foundation in 2025, supporting Veteran Pet Support Services and the Certified and Insured Therapy Dog Program. The grant continues a partnership focused on healing veterans through the human–animal bond.