June 3, 2026

Serving Those Who Served: SWMW Law Volunteers with Dogs For Our Brave

Community Engagement Firm News
A collage of images showing a group of people cleaning and working together, wearing matching black "SWMW/Law" t-shirts. Some are washing windows, mopping floors, and using cleaning tools. There are also several dogs present, including a black dog lying on a bed, a brown dog lying on grass, a black and white dog sitting near shoes, and a close-up of a curly black dog. The group appears cheerful and engaged in their tasks, with outdoor and indoor settings visible.

At SWMW Law, supporting veterans extends far beyond the courtroom.

Many of our clients are veterans who were unknowingly exposed to asbestos while serving our country. We have seen firsthand the sacrifices they have made and the challenges many continue to face long after their military service ends. That’s why, when the opportunity arose to volunteer with Dogs For Our Brave, our team was eager to lend a hand.

In May, eight SWMW Law employees spent a day volunteering with Dogs For Our Brave, a remarkable nonprofit organization dedicated to providing professionally trained service dogs to wounded veterans at no cost.

What makes the organization’s mission especially powerful is that it changes two lives at once.

Dogs For Our Brave rescues dogs in need of a second chance and trains them to become life-changing companions for veterans. Through a comprehensive, 24-month training program, these dogs learn skills tailored to the unique physical and emotional needs of the veterans they will serve. The organization’s holistic approach focuses on healing the mind, body, spirit, and relationships. This disciplined approach provides the opportunity for our dogs to assist veterans in their healing journey, challenging them to daily be the best versions of themselves.

The commitment doesn’t end when a dog is placed with a veteran.

With training costs reaching approximately $45,000 per dog, Dogs For Our Brave covers every expense associated with the animal throughout its lifetime, including medical care, food, equipment, and toys. If a service dog passes away, the organization provides another dog at no cost, ensuring veterans receive lifelong support and companionship.

When SWMW Law volunteers arrived at the facility, they spent several hours deep cleaning kennel areas and common spaces. While the work may have seemed simple, its impact was significant.

“Every hour spent cleaning is an hour our trainers can spend working with the dogs,” said Dogs For Our Brave Community Engagement Coordinator Carrie Johnson. “Volunteers give us the gift of time, allowing us to focus on training and caring for the dogs that will ultimately change a veteran’s life.”

By helping to maintain a clean, safe environment, volunteers freed up staff members to do what they do best: prepare these incredible dogs for their future partners.

For many of the SWMW Law employees who participated, the experience was far more meaningful than they anticipated.

“I thought I was coming to help clean,” said paralegal Thaina Clote. “Instead, I walked away inspired. Seeing the impact these dogs have on veterans, and the dedication behind every match, was something I’ll never forget.”

Another volunteer was especially moved by the organization’s commitment to both the dogs and the veterans.

“As someone who believes strongly in rescuing animals, it was incredible to see how these dogs are given a purpose while helping veterans heal,” said paralegal Abigail Wells. “What impressed me most was the lifelong commitment. They don’t just place a dog and move on. They stand beside veterans for life.”

The volunteers also had the opportunity to watch some of the dogs demonstrate the skills they had learned during training. For many, it was the highlight of the day.

Watching the dogs respond to commands, assist with mobility challenges, and provide emotional support served as a powerful reminder of the difference these animals make every single day.

At SWMW Law, we are proud to represent veterans and advocate for them when they have been harmed by asbestos exposure. Volunteering with Dogs For Our Brave offered another meaningful way to support those who have sacrificed so much for our country.

Sometimes making a difference means standing beside a client in a courtroom.

Other times, it means picking up a mop, scrubbing a kennel, and helping to create an environment where healing can happen.

Either way, the mission remains the same: serving those who served us.

To learn more about Dogs For Our Brave and their life-changing work, visit their website and discover how you can support their mission: https://www.dfob.org.

A person standing on artificial grass in a fenced outdoor area, holding a yellow pressure washer wand connected to a Ryobi pressure washer machine in the foreground. The background features a brick wall, some wooden boards leaning against it, a tire, and a small raised platform. The sky is clear with some power lines visible above.
Two women cleaning glass doors; one is outside using a cleaning cloth and spray, smiling, while the other is inside crouching, holding a cleaning tool and also smiling. The background shows a white wooden fence and greenery. Various cleaning supplies and toys are visible inside near the woman crouching.
Seven women wearing black "SWMW | LAW" t-shirts stand in a row outdoors on grass in front of a brick wall with greenery above. A brown service dog with a harness lies on the grass in front of them.
A person with short brown hair and tattoos on their arms is cleaning the glass window of a black metal-framed door using a spray bottle and a cloth. The person is wearing a black t-shirt and a black watch. The door has a chain leash hanging on the left side and several ribbons and a paper attached to the right side. There is a mesh bag labeled "wagwear" hanging on the door handle. The background shows a room with beige and black walls and a raised platform.
Three women are cleaning and organizing a room with black-framed glass doors. One woman on the left is wiping a door, the woman in the middle is cleaning the inside of a small room, and the woman on the right is moving a folding table. The room has a light gray floor and light-colored walls with black trim. Various items, including coats and a water dispenser, are visible around the space.
Two women smiling outdoors, both wearing black t-shirts and glasses. One woman is holding a red hose nozzle, and the other is holding a large clear plastic container filled with soapy water. They are standing on a concrete surface near a gray wooden fence and brick buildings. Various cleaning supplies are visible on the ground nearby.
A black, white, and tan dog with curly fur is lying on a raised black mesh dog bed. The dog is licking its nose and has a blue collar with a red and white striped tag. There is a beige blanket with light blue paw prints and a large chew bone on the bed. A person wearing blue jeans and light turquoise and white Nike sneakers is sitting next to the dog, with one foot resting on the bed. The floor is gray and the background includes a blue wall and some furniture.
Black Labrador Retriever lying on a raised dog bed with a gray cushion, wearing a black collar with the word "DOG" on it and a blue leash attached. The dog has its tongue slightly out and is looking to the side. A white towel is on the floor nearby.
A woman wearing a green cap, black t-shirt, black pants, and white sneakers is sweeping the floor of a small tiled bathroom with a green and black broom and dustpan. The bathroom has a white toilet, a mop hanging on a grab bar, and various cleaning supplies. The woman is smiling and looking toward the camera.
A person in black clothing is standing indoors holding a mop with a red mop bucket nearby. Another person in black clothing and a dark green cap is sweeping the floor in the background. The room has a light-colored floor and walls, with a laundry basket filled with clothes and a shelving unit with various items on the left side.
Two women are cleaning an indoor space with large windows. The woman in the foreground is mopping the floor with a blue mop, wearing glasses, a black t-shirt, and blue jeans. The woman in the background is holding a spray bottle and a cloth, wearing a black t-shirt and black pants. The room has a yellow caution mop bucket, shelves with various items, a clock on the wall, and booth-style seating with blue cushions.