FAITHFULLY K9 SERVICE DOG AND DOG TRAINING

Faithfully K9 Service Dogs trains individuals with mobility issues, hearing issues, or PTSD to train their dog to become their service dog. If they do not already have a dog that is destined to become their service dog, we assist them in evaluating a dog. We search rescue organizations first. We do not charge Veterans or 1st Responders for the training as we believe they have already given so much; we rely on donors and sponsors to offset these costs.

Our trainers meet with service dog teams one-on-one once a week for an hour in the home of the client or in the area in which they live for outings. Graduation requires 100 hours of training (including hours they train on their own at home), 30 of those hours are to be completed in public. The pair must then pass a skills test and public assessment. Upon program completion, the team receives a certificate and an ID card from Faithfully K9 Service Dogs. Service Dog vests with our logo are available for purchase to graduates.

During our one hour weekly training sessions, we teach our clients skills, and clients practice the skills learned until the next training session. Those skills include basic obedience and custom commands including front, behind, cover, six - commands to help to mitigate PTSD and commands for mobility include lights, button, take, give and tug. Using this model, the dog in training continues to live with their person which is a much less stressful process than organizations that need to house dogs in kennels. We believe training in the home and community of the service dog team provides a comfortable environment for both the client and their dog. It also makes the pair a real team and gives them a better stake in the outcome with a sense of accomplishment. We are currently working with 12 Veterans with PTSD or Parkinson's and their battle buddies and 12 civilians. Although this is not a cure for PTSD, the four legged battle buddies are Superheroes as they walk life's path with their partner, providing tasks that help to mitigate this disability including deep pressure therapy, waking from nightmares, and having their back, six as we call it. Our clients have shared that they feel less anxiety, feel more independent and able to enjoy parts of their life that prior to having a service dog they were not able to do.

After graduating from the program, client dog teams are eligible for continued training as needed due to changes in their disability or dog behavior needing attention.

With Veteran suicides at 22 per day, and 1st Responders in high numbers, we believe we can save lives by offering this training. We are one of the few organizations that train service dogs for civilians with PTSD.

Our situation is unique in that we do not have a building or pay rent but instead are mobile. We are able to meet with clients very quickly and do not have a waiting list. Veterans and 1st Responders with suicidal thoughts do not have time to be put on a waitlist.