Stand With Me

Stand With Me is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving American veterans living with service-related mental health challenges. Through the healing power of the human-animal bond, we help veterans build confidence, independence, and meaningful connections with their families, communities, and fellow veterans. Our team of trainers, volunteers, and supporters is committed to providing a compassionate and empowering environment where veterans can grow, heal, and thrive.

About Our Founder
Stand With Me was founded in 2016 by Frankie "Myrph" McMahon, a professional dog trainer with more than 40 years of experience and owner of Myrph's Dog Training since 2007. In addition to her extensive canine training background, Myrph has more than a decade of experience working directly with individuals living with mental health disabilities as a service coordinator and family support services counselor. As a professional member of the International Association of Canine Professionals and a Southern Tier Regional Tester/Observer for Alliance of Therapy Dogs, she brings a unique combination of expertise in dog training and mental health support. Inspired by her family's military service, including her father, a decorated World War II combat veteran, and her late husband, a veteran, Myrph created Stand With Me to help veterans train their own service dogs and improve their quality of life.

Stand With Me provides an assistance dog training program that teaches veterans to train their own dogs to become service dog partners. Through hands-on instruction, coaching, and ongoing support, veterans learn the skills needed to work effectively with their dogs while building confidence and coping strategies that improve daily life. The training process itself is therapeutic, helping veterans overcome isolation, expand their comfort zones, strengthen relationships, and take positive steps toward improved mental health and overall well-being.