Business Jet Fuels Hope to Support Veterans, Kids, and Pets

As dogs go, Phillips is a special pup, trained to become an elite service dog, one devotedly schooled to support disabled U.S. veterans navigating daunting physical and emotional challenges. This initiative is propelled by the employees of Business Jet, a fixed-base operator (FBO) servicing Dallas Love Field (KDAL), and their passion for supporting veterans, kids, and pets.

More than a decade ago, Business Jet employees were looking for opportunities to give back to their community, says Brittanie Joyner, Culture & Engagement Specialist for the award-winning FBO. Employees felt disabled veterans and children in need deserved the FBO’s support.

“We care about what is meaningful to our employees, what they're passionate about,” Joyner explains. “If our employees are passionate about giving back to the community, we're going to find a way to make sure we support that.”

What began as an employee-driven initiative soon became Business Jet Cares, the nonprofit wing of Business Jet, a Phillips 66® branded FBO.

A Mission that Took Flight
Since 2013, the annual Business Jet Cares Charity Golf Tournament has raised deeply needed funds supporting Patriot PAWS Service Dogs, the training ground for elite service canines like Phillips. Additionally, Business Jet Cares support Folds of Honor, which awards life-changing scholarships for spouses and children of fallen and disabled veterans and first responders.

The inspiration to support Folds of Honor came from a customer who is a former military pilot, explains Alette Cook, Brand Manager for Business Jet.

“His dedication to families of fallen and disabled veterans and first responders was moving,” says Cook. “We’d been exploring new charitable partnerships, and Folds of Honor aligned perfectly with our employees’ passion for supporting veterans and kids.”

A Lifetime of Commitment
For veterans suffering from mobile disabilities, traumatic brain injuries and/or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), a service dog companion can be life changing. But the cost is daunting, beyond the financial reach of most disabled veterans.

It costs $46,000 for Business Jet Cares to sponsor one Patriot PAWS service dog throughout the dog's lifetime partnership with their veteran. Not only does the sponsorship help cover the cost of the elite training that takes almost two years, a lifetime of feeding and free veterinary care, but it also provides so much more.

“Patriot PAWS likes to say they’re not just in the dog business, they’re in the human business,” Joyner explains. “They really do care for the mental health of the veteran.”

Patriot PAWS serves as the weekly meeting location for PTSD Foundation of America and staff members conduct regular check-ins with their veterans. For dogs needing surgery or veterinary care, they’ll fly the veteran and their service dog into Patriot PAWS’ veterinary clinic. There’s even a Patriot PAWS Veterans Hospitality Center near Dallas where veterans can stay if their dog needs a training refresh. When a Service Dog passes away after their devoted career, they’ll provide a new one.

All at no cost to the veteran. No client ever receives a bill from Patriot PAWS.

Training for Life: From Prison, College and Beyond
But the benefits also extend deep into the local community.

“What’s incredible is that Patriot PAWS even has inmate trainers through their Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) Program, Trained to Heal—giving Inmates an opportunity to invest in something meaningful and give back in their own way,” says Joyner.

Dogs in training can also spend time living with Texas A&M University students in College Station, even accompanying them to classes. “Their Patriot PAWS of Aggieland Program is amazing, allowing the dogs to be in multiple, different environments,” explains Cook. “It helps the dogs gain invaluable socialization to best serve their future.”

When a dog trains that hard, they deserve a treat. Phillips’ reward will be a triumphant, chauffeured ride in a limo golf cart known as the Puppy Taxi, cruising Business Jet’s fairways during an annual charity golfing tournament that’s raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to support disabled and fallen U.S. veterans, first responders and their families.

All of which makes Phillips’ Puppy Taxi fairway ride such a feel-good moment. In fact, the Puppy Taxi is one of the hottest sponsorships for the Business Jet Cares Charity Golf Tournament, says Cook.

Naming the dog Phillips, explains Cook, is a tribute to a longtime tournament sponsor, Phillips 66® Aviation. “It’s just a way to honor and thank Phillips 66 for all they’ve done for us over the years and their continuous sponsorship,” Cook says.

The 12th Annual Business Jet Cares Charity Golf Tournament is set for November 14, 2025, at the Texas Rangers Golf Club in Arlington, Texas. Not long after the golfing ends, Phillips, the Service Dog in Training, will continue his journey preparing for his future Veteran.

For more about Business Jet Cares and its employee-driven initiative to support “kids, vets and pets,” please visit here.