K9s For Warriors cares for every dog at each step of their journey. From intake to pairing with a Veteran, and even career-changes — we prioritize the best fit for each dog.
At K9s For Warriors, a majority of the dogs we procure are rescue dogs. We believe in second chances and saving lives at both ends of the leash.
Our procurement team tirelessly searches for suitable Service Dog candidates at shelters across the country, primarily in the Southeast and Southwest regions.
In 2024 alone, our team members traveled over 66,000 miles to rescue dogs – that’s roughly 2.6 times around the Earth.
We also accept dog and puppy donations as well as collaborate with select purpose-bred and rescue providers to continue providing high quality Service Dogs to our Warriors battling invisible wounds of war.
Since 2011, we’ve rescued more than 2,000 dogs.
Once a dog is selected for our program and cleared by our veterinary team, Service Dog training begins!
Like humans every dog is different, especially when working with rescue dogs. On average our Service Dogs train for six to eight months before they pass our Service Dog standards. Once they have passed, they’re ready to be paired with a Veteran!
Like humans every dog is different, especially when working with rescue dogs. On average our Service Dogs train for six to eight months before they pass our Service Dog standards. Once they have passed, they’re ready to be paired with a Veteran
Unlike household pets and emotional support animals, our Service Dogs go through extensive training and a series of temperament and public access tests, to become a lifesaving battle buddy for a Warrior in need.
Our dogs are hardwired to love unconditionally and heal the invisible wounds of our nation’s heroes. There are several types of Service Dogs from seeing-eye to medical alert dogs – K9s For Warriors’ dogs are specifically trained to mitigate a Veteran’s PTSD symptoms.
Stand: When the Service Dog stands in front of the Veteran, front and back legs of the dog are parallel to the Warriors shoulders, to create a barrier and space between the Veteran and other people.
Brace: When the Service Dog is in the stand cue, the Warrior places their hands over the shoulders and back legs of the dog to brace up from a sitting or kneeling position to a standing position.
Look: When the Service Dog has the Veteran’s back. Many Veterans experience hypervigilance and need eyes on everyone, but struggle when they can’t see who is behind them. The dog moves to the Warrior’s right side and sits facing behind them to watch his/her back
Lap: When the Service Dog targets their forearms over the Warrior’s thighs (lap) to provide deep-compression therapy calming the Veteran’s emotions and anxiety
Front: When the Service Dog starts in a down position. The Warrior will walk 6-10 feet from the dog. When given the ‘front’ command, the dog will return to the Warrior and sit in front of the Warrior facing them. This is used primarily when going through a metal detector.
Under: When the Service Dog will go under the Warrior’s legs, chair, and/or desk/table. This command allows for the dog to stay in a down position to avoid being a tripping hazard to anyone moving around the Warrior.
K9s For Warriors partners with Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office to teach inmates new life skills while giving them the opportunity to train future Service Dogs.
The Paws For Change program is designed to not only empower inmates, but also aid K9s in its efforts to meet the growing need for highly-trained Service Dogs to pair with Veterans.
Paws For Change aims to expand the healing powers of dogs to prisoners in need.
Every dog brought into our program has the goal of becoming a life-changing Service Dog for a Veteran, but not every dog passes our rigorous Service Dog standards.
For those pups not suitable for service work and ultimately career-changed, go on to become therapy dogs for first responders or find their forever home with a loving family.
Our Station Dog program provides law enforcement and first responder agencies with therapy dogs that provide emotional support to police officers, firefighters, dispatchers, victims, and others exposed to traumatic events in the line of duty.
Some dogs in our program are better suited to live out their lives in a forever home and are adopted by loving, local families.
Determined to end Veteran suicide, K9s For Warriors is the nation’s largest provider of trained Service Dogs to military Veterans suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injury and/or military sexual trauma.
© 2025 K9s For Warriors
Thank you for your interest in adopting one of our dogs. We hope that your perfect fit becomes available soon! Please fill out the application below – and our Adoption Team will add you to our waitlist.
