The Why
I had a for-profit dog training business for 27 years when suddenly, there was an influx of veterans showing up. I saw they were struggling, and as I worked with them, I found they all had PTSD at different levels of severity.
I realized then that our veterans need another way to cope with symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and that service dogs could be the answer.
The Plan
My for-profit business was established and successful. However, the more I interacted with veterans, the more I understood that God had a bigger plan for me. I knew I couldn’t change the world, but I knew I could make a difference. I observed challenges associated with veterans training alongside non-veterans. So, I closed my for-profit business and began a non-profit organization focused on providing service dog training for veterans.
I was a scent-detection dog trainer who had worked in body recovery with law enforcement for over eight years. I understood the power of a dog’s nose. Not only could a dog help a veteran with mobility, but they could be trained to recognize the scent of adrenaline when produced by nightmares, flashbacks, or panic attacks.
The Need
I started out with one veteran, then two, and now, we have more than 750 veterans while rescuing 262 dogs.
Sometimes, a veteran will come in with their own dog, and as long as the dog meets the training criteria, we will put them into the service dog training program.
The Program
The Service Dog Training Program is a six-month course. There are a maximum of ten veterans per class, each with four trainers.
While the Master Trainer is training, the other trainers work one-on-one with the veteran and their dog. We start with basic obedience training, then move into canine CPR, followed by twelve weeks of service-level training.
The final portion of the program includes public access training, during which we visit restaurants, stores, grocery stores, and other places veterans will need to go with their service dogs.
The six-month course requires class time once per week. Each veteran and their dog will be assigned homework to do each day in between classes.
Our training gives veterans a mission. We don’t train their dog; they do.
“Your mission is to be a stellar trainer who has trained their dog to the highest standard possible,” I tell them. “You will be part of an exceptional canine team and, ultimately, a walking billboard for K9 Partners for Patriots.”
The ten-person class becomes a real unit. Even though they only have class once per week, they will often visit for personal one-to-one training; they are welcome any time.
After graduation, the graduate and their service dog must return once per year to recertify, but they come to visit much more often than that, and we love it.
This place is a second home because “Through these doors lies hope and healing.”
The Cost
The cost for a veteran and service dog to complete the training course is approximately $18,000- $20,000, depending on various factors. However, the cost to qualifying veterans is FREE.
Is a Service Dog an Option for You?
The first step is to visit the facility to learn more about the program and how to get started. Anyone can make an appointment or visit our facility to learn more about the program.
To find out more about K9 Partners for Patriots, visit us online at: www.K9partnersforpatriots.com
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EDITOR’S NOTE: Mary Peter is a Certified Master Dog Trainer (CMDT) and is the founder of K9 Partners for Patriots, where she works as Executive Director of Training Operations.
