Here’s how we do it!
- Select and screen qualified veterans who apply through MK9s for a service dog. Our process was recognized by Assistance Dog International (ADI) at the 2017 Association of Service Dog Providers for Military Veteran’s Conference as the model for all organizations to follow.
- Seek sponsorships for the Service Dogs in Training (SDiTs).
- Purchase puppies from qualified Labrador Retriever and German Shepherd breeders.
- Match puppy with a volunteer canine mentor. MK9s canine mentor will meet with a volunteer professional trainer 2-3 times per week for training sessions. Customized training of the SDiT for their selected veteran occurs daily.
- Local veterans will be able to meet and train with their SDiT once a month. Remote veterans will receive bi-monthly training reports. Remote veterans may also travel to visit SDiT if feasible.
- Place SDiT with veteran around 15 to 18 months of age.
- Veteran receives weekly training sessions for at least the first 6 months of placement and submits monthly reports.
- The Veteran/Service Dog Team take the IACP Public Access Test within 1 month of placement.
