Every Step Brings a Veteran Closer to a Service Dog
The Ruff Ruck Challenge is a military-inspired ruck march that funds fully trained service dogs — at no cost — for U.S. veterans and first responders. Every $10,000 raised places one dog.
Tony Laskowicz went live on Facebook one day and rucked 20 miles straight — pack on his back, phone in his hand — to raise money for an employee's service dog that needed life-saving surgery.
The community rallied. The money came in. The dog made it. And that moment sparked something bigger: if we could pull together for one dog, we could build a mission that funds service dogs for the veterans and first responders who need them most.
That mission is The Ruff Ruck Challenge. And every year, we lace up, shoulder our rucks, and walk for the people who carried so much for the rest of us.
Whether you're a hardened rucker or someone who simply wants to show up and walk, there's a format for you.
12 Miles · 35 lbs Min · 3 hrs
The Ruff Ruck Challenge
The competitive challenge. 12 miles in under 3 hours carrying a minimum 35 lb rucksack or weight vest (no upper limit) — a nod to the Army Ranger Ruck Test.
Team of 4 · 100 lbs total · No Time Limit
Frontline Challenge
Your four-person team distributes 100 lbs across the 12-mile route — no time limit. Each team must include at least one active or retired first responder or military member.
Any Distance · Your Pace
Freedom Walk
Go your own distance at your own pace — ruck if you want to, or not. No minimums, no time limit; just your personal best. Every walker honors the mission.
Choose Your Format
Register Today
The next Muskegon ruck is October 2026. Lock in your spot and start fundraising.
The Ruff Ruck Challenge places fully trained service dogs with vetted U.S. veterans and first responders — at no cost. Our team reviews every application carefully and partners with professional trainers to match you with the right dog.
About 10 minutes to complete. All information is confidential and goes directly to our review team.
Our Training Partners
Every Dog is Trained by People Who Know the Work
Dollars raised at the Ruff Ruck fund service dog training through a network of trusted partner nonprofits — each committed to placing fully trained service dogs at no cost with veterans and first responders, with dogs sourced from shelters and rescues whenever possible. Each partner brings its own proven training methodology.
West Michigan K9 Foundation
Our flagship regional training partner. WMK9 matches service dogs with veterans and first responders throughout the region, providing ongoing support beyond placement.
K9 Jaeger Foundation
A nonprofit that trains and places service dogs using cooperative, positive-reinforcement methods with a handler-first philosophy.
And Partners Like Them
We work with additional mission-aligned training organizations as capacity and recipient needs dictate. If your nonprofit shares our philosophy and serves veterans or first responders, we want to talk.
Create a free fundraising profile in 30 seconds — no event registration needed. Share your link with friends and family to start raising for service dogs.
A service dog placement is a serious, long, and intentional commitment. Read this first. If any of it doesn't fit your situation, the application may not be right for you right now — and that's okay.
Submitting this application does not guarantee a service dog. Every application is reviewed individually. We receive far more than we can fulfill, and we prioritize based on need, fit, and our partners' capacity.
This is a long process — expect 12–24 months or more from approval to graduation. Once a dog is sourced and temperament-tested, you and the dog get paired early; you train together with our partners through months of task-specific work. We don't hand off finished dogs.
You are the handler. If you're approved and matched, this dog is placed with you. You attend handler training sessions in person with the trainer. You provide all daily care, feeding, exercise, and ongoing reinforcement. A service dog is a working partnership, and you are half of that team.
Cost: $0 to approved recipients. Funded by the Ruff Ruck Challenge community and our partners.
Service Dog Application
Fully trained service dogs for U.S. veterans and first responders — at no cost. The Ruff Ruck Challenge reviews every application carefully. Takes about 10 minutes to complete.
Personal InformationStep 1 of 7
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Application Received!
Thank you for applying. The Ruff Ruck Challenge team will review your application and be in touch within 5-7 business days at the email you provided. Questions? Email info@ruffruck.org.
Ruck for purpose. Walk for hope. Fund a lifeline.
Support the Mission
$10,000 = One Fully Trained Service Dog
Your donation funds vetting, acquisition, training, and placement — at no cost to the veteran or first responder who receives the dog.
Monthly giving is what lets us plan placements year over year. Even $167/month, sustained, places a service dog every five years.
