Thousands of dogs are euthanized every single day. It’s the heartbreaking reality. Animal shelters across the country are overcrowded, and inside those kennels are incredible dogs, many with the potential to save lives. These are the dogs K9s For Warriors is dedicated to finding.
Our Procurement Team travels around the country, searching for the best Service Dog candidates. Most of our dogs are rescues – shelter animals, owner surrenders and animal cruelty cases. By giving them a second chance, we’re not just saving their life; we are giving them the chance to save a Veteran’s life. Our goal is to save as many lives as possible. We look for dogs with untapped potential — those with the drive to work and who are hardwired to love unconditionally.
We hold our Service Dogs to high standards, with a rigorous training process designed to ensure they can support their Veterans for years to come. It all starts with thorough temperament testing at the shelter. Through this process, we identify dogs best suited for the demands of service work. For example, to assess reactivity and resource guarding, we observe how a dog behaves when another dog approaches. The ideal candidate remains calm and non-aggressive. We also test focus and resilience by dropping a metal bowl nearby to gauge the dog’s reaction. These tests reveal a great deal about a dog’s potential to work as a lifesaving Service Dog.
We’re looking for dogs who are confident, friendly and comfortable with physical handling. Dogs like Sassafras met all of these qualifications and more. Sassafras was born to love, but before K9s For Warriors, she was destined to spend her life in the shelter. Thanks to you, she found a new purpose when she arrived at K9s For Warriors, where she is preparing to be a Service Dog for a Veteran in need.
Because Sassafras was rescued from a shelter that was full, her kennel opened for another dog. That's how you saved not just one dog’s life; you saved two!
Since we often don’t know a rescue dog’s background, the training often begins with rebuilding the dog’s ability to trust. At K9s For Warriors, our Service Dogs train for six to eight months, mastering skills that will help the Veteran regain confidence and independence.
We’re saving as many lives as possible — at both ends of the leash. It all starts with giving dogs a second chance — and the opportunity to change a Veteran’s life. Your ongoing support makes it happen.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you!
Hear more about K9s For Warriors procurement process below:
