Service dogs are specially trained to assist people with certain disabilities and conditions, including:

  • Mobility impairment
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Mental illnesses including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

At K-9 Companions, our service dog training program is different than most in that we involve the dog owner in the actual training. If the owner is not physically capable, an assistant who will be involved in the day-to-day care of the dog must be present for the training.

Service Dog Suitability and Physician Recommendation

If you already own a dog that you would like to be service trained, we will evaluate him or her to determine suitability. Many dogs have the temperament and trainability for service, but others do not. We can also assist you in purchasing or rescuing a dog or puppy suitable for service training.

Additionally, we require a letter from a licensed physician recommending a service dog.

The Training

Service training takes roughly 18 months when starting with a young dog or puppy. Training includes:

  • Basic commands and obedience
  • On and off-leash obedience
  • Canine Good Citizen training and testing (dog owner must act as handler during testing)
  • Public access training
  • Specific service skills and behaviors (depending on disability and needs of the owner), such as:
    • Opening doors, drawers and refrigerators
    • Retrieving specific objects (keys, tools, remotes, etc.)
    • Retrieving dropped items
    • Getting help
    • Pulling on command
    • Turning on or off lights
    • Barking to alert
    • Stopping at certain objects
    • Walking slow to lead
    • Finding scents
    • Carrying objects

Service Dog Funding for Veterans

Veterans diagnosed with PTSD or other service-connected disabilities may qualify for funding for service dog training.

Visit Semper Fi Fund website or give us a call to learn more.

Also, “Working in partnership with the American Red Cross for Service to the Armed Forces”    

In our mission to help dog’s and U.S. Veteran’s we have started a 501(c)(3)NONPROFIT to train service dogs at no charge to the Vet. We will either train a dog they have or help them to obtain a shelter dog to be trained.

If you would like to donate to our cause please go to K9CompanionsInc.org

Your donations will help our Veteran’s AND dog’s to live a better quality of life, whats better than that?

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