K9S FOR WARRIORS

K9s For Warriors helps veterans suffering from the invisible wounds of war by providing them with Assistance Dog International (ADI)-certified Service Dogs. We rescue our dogs from shelters and spend up to 6 months training them to the highest standards to prepare them for the most important job they will ever have. As we like to say, “we save the dog, and the dog saves the warrior!” While the dogs are being acquired and trained, K9s For Warriors is collecting applications from deserving Warriors across the U.S. The team at K9s works diligently to determine the best pairing of Warriors and dogs to ensure that the program yields the best results possible. Once a pairing is made, the Warrior arrives on campus to meet their new best friend, and participate in an intensive, full-immersion 3-week training program. During the training program, Warriors undergo rigorous instruction in dog training, daily living skills, community integration, peer to peer interaction, and human and animal bonding, all under the oversight of skilled warrior trainers, who are, themselves, graduates of the K9s program. Upon completion of the program, the Warrior and their Service Dog graduate, and are empowered to return to civilian life with dignity and independence. The team will return 1 year after graduation and every 2 years after to maintain their certification and participate in re-training. Warriors are also provided wraparound services for the rest of their lives, including emotional, legal, and service dog support. They are members of the K9s family for life, and when their dog retires, we will provide a new one. The entire program is provided at no cost to the warrior.