K9S FOR WARRIORS

K9s For Warriors is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to ending Veteran suicide and mitigating the impact of trauma while restoring independence for military Veterans living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and military sexual trauma (MST). Founded in 2011, K9s For Warriors has grown from a small, grassroots effort into the nation’s largest provider of trained psychiatric Service Dogs for Veterans with PTSD, TBI and MST, and the world’s largest rescue-to-service program.

Every day in the United States, approximately 17–20 Veterans die by suicide, while more than 1,000 dogs are euthanized. K9s For Warriors addresses both crises simultaneously by rescuing dogs from shelters, training them to become highly skilled psychiatric Service Dogs, and pairing them—at no cost—with Veterans who have exhausted or disengaged from traditional treatment options. By saving lives at both ends of the leash, the organization creates resilient, life-saving partnerships that benefit Veterans, families, and communities nationwide.

The cornerstone of K9s For Warriors’ work is the Warrior/Service Dog Pairing Program, a structured, multi-phase intervention that combines Service Dog training with trauma-informed education and lifelong support. Dogs undergo months of professional training using positive-reinforcement methods and learn specialized tasks that interrupt anxiety, mitigate nightmares, reduce hypervigilance, and support emotional regulation. Veterans are carefully matched with dogs based on temperament, lifestyle, and emotional needs.

Each Veteran participates in an intensive residential training program at one of K9s For Warriors’ campuses in Florida or Texas. During this period, Veterans and Service Dogs learn to function as a team through daily instruction in dog handling, public access training, and real-world exposure exercises. The program mirrors evidence-based principles of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), helping Veterans rebuild confidence, independence, and trust while re-engaging with public and professional life.

K9s For Warriors’ commitment does not end at graduation. Through its integrated Warrior Wellness Initiative, the organization provides lifelong wraparound support, including case management, peer mentorship, suicide risk screening, family education, Service Dog recertification, and 24/7 crisis access. Veterans are never “discharged” from care; support continues for as long as it is needed.

The organization’s impact is both measurable and profound. Since inception, K9s For Warriors has paired more than 1,200 Veterans across all 50 states, Guam, and Puerto Rico, and rescued over 2,000 dogs. Independent, peer-reviewed research—including NIH-funded studies—has demonstrated significant reductions in PTSD symptoms, depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation among program participants, including a documented suicide mortality rate under 1% among graduates.

In addition to serving Veterans, K9s For Warriors extends its trauma-informed expertise to other high-risk populations. Its Station Dog Program places trained therapy dogs with law enforcement, fire departments, and other first responder agencies to support personnel wellness and assist victims during crises. Other initiatives, such as Paws For Change, provide vocational training and rehabilitation opportunities while preparing future Service Dogs.

Today, K9s For Warriors is recognized as a national leader in Veteran suicide prevention, Service Dog training, and trauma-informed care. Through rigorous standards, strong partnerships, and a steadfast commitment to accountability, the organization continues to evolve—guided by data, research, and the lived experiences of the Warriors it serves. Its mission remains clear and urgent: to restore hope, save lives, and ensure that no Veteran walks the path to healing alone.