K9s for Warriors

K9s For Warriors
Formation 2011
Founder Shari Duval
Type 501(C)(3)
Focus Alternate therapy for helping veterans cope with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Animal welfare
Location
Region served
United States
CEO
 Rory Diamond[1]
Budget
$4.6 million in FY 2016[2]
Staff
44[1]
Volunteers
500+[1]
Website www.k9sforwarriors.org

K9s For Warriors is an American charity and veterans service organization that provides service dogs to veterans.[3] The organization trains rescue dogs to help veterans coping with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury, military sexual trauma, post-9/11 issues and other psychological challenges associated with military service.

History

K9s For Warriors was founded in 2011 by Shari Duval who was inspired by her son, Brett Simon,[4] a contractor who returned from two tours in Iraq and was suffering from severe post-traumatic stress.[5]

Program

K9s For Warriors evaluates and trains rescued dogs before providing them to veterans as service dogs for no charge.[6] The organization accommodates veterans during a three-week live-in program to facilitate bonding with a trained dog, following which the veterans are sent home along with their service dog.[5] As of February, 2018, K9s For warriors has graduated 400 warrior-canine teams [7].The organization claims that 95% of dogs used in the program are rescues, with the other 5% coming from breeders or being surrendered by owners .[8] In 2018, the organization opened its second training facility near Gainesville, FL, named the Gold Family Campus. [9]

Media coverage

There are many success stories of K9s For Warriors program beneficiaries. [10][11][12][5][13][14] K9s For Warriors has been covered extensively in mainstream media. [15][16][17]

In November 2015, New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton was nominated for the NFL's "Salute to Service" award[18] for his work with K9s for Warriors.[19]

Supermodel Kate Upton and husband Justin Verlander, an MLB player, have held fundraising events for K9s For Warriors and the SPCA. In 2017, it was covered by PEOPLE magazine. [20]

A documentary not yet available to the public was released on a small scale in New York City in 2018. The documentary is called "A New Leash on Life: The K9s For Warriors Story" and was covered by FOX & Friends [21]. It was produced by Emmy award-winning director, Nick Nanton [22]. The documentary's trailer is on IMDb.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "K9s for Warriors opens expansive new Nocatee home ready to help veterans for free". Jacksonville. 8 July 2015. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
  2. ↑ https://www.guidestar.org/profile/27-5219467
  3. ↑ "Rusty's Legacy joins forces with K9s for Warriors". The McDowell News. 10 November 2015. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
  4. ↑ "Warrior with PTSD explains fear of St. Augustine". First Coast News. 23 April 2015. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 "Spared from the kennel: These rescue dogs now help vets". Army Times. 9 May 2015. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
  6. ↑ "Campaign aims to stop veteran suicide epidemic". News4Jax. 7 February 2015. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
  7. ↑ http://pontevedrarecorder.com/stories/k9s-for-warriors-celebrates-400th-service-dog-team,5793
  8. ↑ "Operation Orion is in full swing". First Coast News. 11 June 2014. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
  9. ↑ https://www.wuft.org/news/2018/02/01/gold-family-campus-offering-second-chances-for-veterans-rescue-dogs/
  10. ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/news/feature/ptsd-service-dogs-for-veterans/
  11. ↑ http://video.foxnews.com/v/5788618388001/?#sp=show-clips
  12. ↑ https://www.thelily.com/how-k9s-for-warriors-helps-turn-dogs-into-veterans-lifelines-2/
  13. ↑ "Extraordinary Ordinaries: Veteran, dog paired through K9s for Warriors". Fox13. 14 October 2015. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
  14. ↑ "Service dog turns life around for PTSD mom and autistic son". First Coast News. 11 November 2015. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
  15. ↑ http://video.foxnews.com/v/5206444121001/?#sp=show-clips
  16. ↑ "K9s for Warriors uses dogs to reintroduce soldiers to society". Orlando Weekly. 18 February 2015. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
  17. ↑ "K9s For Warriors Aims To Rescue 10 Dogs To Help Veterans With PTSD In Summer Fundraiser". Huffington Post. 23 July 2013. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
  18. ↑ "Salute to Service month in NFL includes award". Associated Press. 6 November 2015. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
  19. ↑ "New Orleans Saints nominate Sean Payton for 'Salute to Service' award". The Times-Picayune. 6 November 2015. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
  20. ↑ https://people.com/pets/kate-upton-justin-verlander-grand-slam-adoption/
  21. ↑ http://video.foxnews.com/v/5797063266001/?#sp=show-clips
  22. ↑ https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/Emmy-Award-Winning-Director-Nick-Nanton-to-Co-Produce-Operation-Underground-Railroad-Documentary-20180308
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