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K9s For Warriors
Formation2011
FounderShari Duval
Type501(c)(3)
FocusAlternate therapy for helping veterans cope with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Animal welfare
Location
Region served
United States
CEO
Carl Cricco [1]
Budget
$4.6 million in FY 2016[2]
Staff210
Websitewww.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

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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 developed severe post-traumatic stress.[5]

Program

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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 January 2019, K9s For Warriors has graduated 500 veteran-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, Florida, named the Gold Family Campus.[9]

Media coverage

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There are many success stories of K9s For Warriors program beneficiaries.[10] K9s For Warriors has been covered extensively in mainstream media.[11][12][13][14][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 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 was presented at the Suncoast Region Emmy awards where it won four Emmys for Direction, Editing, Photography and Documentary.[23]  Shari received the highest award the Daughters of the American Revolution presents, the Americanism Medal of Honor, at Continental Congress in June 2019.

Scientific Studies

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In 2015, K9s For Warriors entered into a partnership with Purdue University. The goal was to verify scientifically that service dogs are an effective treatment for veterans with PTSD. The study is one of the first published research studies to define the biobehavioral effects of service dogs on veterans with PTSD. This research found that compared to those on the waitlist, military veterans with a PTSD service dog reported lower PTSD symptoms, anxiety, and depression as well as better social functioning, better sleep, and less anger.[24][25][26] Currently, a large-scale clinical trial is underway at the National Institutes of Health to further study the efficacy of service dogs for veterans with PTSD. The length of the trial allows for a better understanding of the interrelationships between psychological and behavioral processes, PTSD symptoms and service dogs.[27]

References

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  1. ^ "Rory Diamond to step down from K9s for Warriors, focus on Jacksonville City Council, military". Jacksonville. 20 October 2022. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
  2. ^ "K9s for Warriors - GuideStar Profile".
  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.[permanent dead link‍]
  5. ^ a b "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. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2019-01-12. Retrieved 2019-01-11.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. ^ "Operation Orion is in full swing". First Coast News. 11 June 2014. Retrieved 21 November 2015.[permanent dead link‍]
  9. ^ ""Gold Family Campus" Offering Second Chances for Veterans, Rescue Dogs". February 2018.
  10. ^ "How Dogs Are Helping Returning Military Soldiers Combat PTSD". American Kennel Club. 27 June 2018. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
  11. ^ "Veteran opens up about how his service dog changed his life". Fox News. 23 May 2018. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
  12. ^ "How K9s for Warriors helps turn dogs into veterans' lifelines". 10 November 2018. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
  13. ^ "Extraordinary Ordinaries: Veteran, dog paired through K9s for Warriors". Fox13. 14 October 2015. Archived from the original on 22 November 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.[permanent dead link‍]
  15. ^ "K9s for Warriors gives service dogs to vets with PTSD". Fox News. 11 November 2016. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
  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. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. 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. ^ "Kate Upton & Fiancé Justin Verlander to Hold Pet Rescue Event — and Try Not to Come Home with a Dog". People Magazine. 10 March 2018. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
  21. ^ "Veterans get new leash on life with K9s for Warriors". Fox News. 13 June 2018. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
  22. ^ "Emmy Award Winning Director Nick Nanton to Co-Produce Operation Underground Railroad Documentary". Broadway World. 8 March 2018. Retrieved 15 January 2019.
  23. ^ "DNA Films® Takes Home Nine Emmys". PressNewsRoom. 2018-12-04. Retrieved 2020-12-17.
  24. ^ "Research shows how service dogs can help veterans with PTSD". Purdue University. 5 November 2018. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  25. ^ O'Haire, Marguerite E.; Rodriguez, Kerri E. (February 2018). "Preliminary efficacy of service dogs as a complementary treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder in military members and veterans". Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. 86 (2): 179–188. doi:10.1037/ccp0000267. ISSN 1939-2117. PMC 5788288. PMID 29369663.
  26. ^ Rodriguez, Kerri E.; Bryce, Crystal I.; Granger, Douglas A.; O'Haire, Marguerite E. (2018-12-01). "The effect of a service dog on salivary cortisol awakening response in a military population with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)". Psychoneuroendocrinology. 98: 202–210. doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.04.026. ISSN 0306-4530. PMC 8454180. PMID 29907299.
  27. ^ "Service Dogs May Lower Stress Levels of Veterans With PTSD". American Veterinarian. 20 June 2018. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
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