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.
News & Events
Join us at Poseidon Brewery on November 8 for a Veterans Day Vendor Market and Silent Auction benefiting the Military Animal Project. Enjoy food trucks, local vendors, live music, and more while supporting programs that change the lives of veterans and their service animals.
The Military Animal Project is honored to join the 2025 Northern Nevada Veterans Block Party & Color Run on September 20, bringing therapy dogs and support for veterans in a day of color, connection, and community.
Military Animal Project joined the Ventura County Stand Down to offer certified therapy dog visits, pet care support, and vital resources for veterans in need.