Paws and Stripes was founded in Rio Rancho in 2010 by Lindsey Kay. Lindsey was motivated by her passion for dogs, love of her country and those who have sacrificed so much to protect it. A veteran family member of Lindsey’s suffering from PTSD and TBI motivated her to research multiple organizations, but was unable to pay for service dogs due to the high cost. This inspired the inception of an organization dedicated to providing service dogs at no cost to veterans in order to fill this critical unmet need for veterans. 

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In 2010, Paws and Stripes graduated their first team. By 2012, Paws and Stripes officially integrated a mental health component to its training programs. Since inception almost 10 years ago, Paws and Stripes has served veterans, rescued and rehabilitated shelter dogs as service dogs and refined its mental health programming. 

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In the early days, Paws and Stripes received press and recognition for the unique and much needed programming from Time Magazine, Bark Magazine, Lisa Ling’s Our America, Stephen Colbert's Dream Fund, and Tractor Supply Magazine in addition to presenting internationally in Croatia and nationally in New York and at Yale University. In 2014, A&E's docu-series, Dogs of War, featured 5 episodes about Paws and Stripes.

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In 2017, Paws and Stripes officially moved into a new facility, a generous donation to further its mission in Albuquerque.