Frequently Asked Questions

Founded in 2017, Patriot K9’s of Wisconsin is a nonprofit organization dedicated to training service dogs for veterans. Our dogs are task trained to help their handlers manage the effects of Post Traumatic Stress Injury (PTSI), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), and Military Sexual Trauma (MST) related to military service. PK9s is one of 17 members of the Association of Service Dog Providers (ASDP). As of December 2023, we have graduated more than 100 Service Dog teams from our program.

• 6,392 veterans took their lives by suicide in 2021.
• 1,315 were in the Midwest region.
• 109 were in Wisconsin.

Our goal is helping veterans win the war against suicide, depression, and anxiety by empowering them through the use of a trauma recovery service dog

Service dogs can be trained to do some pretty amazing things. Patriot K9s of Wisconsin trains dogs to assist military veterans with:

• anxiety alert
• hypervigilance mitigation
• self-harm interruption
• deep pressure therapy
• and much more!

Unfortunately, no. Not every dog can be a service dog. While some are phenomenal companions, they may not be up for the rigorous work involved in being a service dog. We work with a network of breeders and look and temperament, habits, and natural abilities to choose the best possible candidates for service work. We do have dogs available that have been trained and tested and are ready to start the service dog program with you.

You can find a request for contact on our website, www.patriotk9s.org. You will receive a phone call within 1-3 business days. We will ask some preliminary questions to assess eligibility and answer any questions you have. You will receive an application packet in the mail after this call.

The cost of a service dog is approximately $24,000. We are a non-profit and through generous donations we are able to provide these dogs to qualified veterans free of charge.

To participate in our program, the following criteria must be met:

1. HONORABLE DISCHARGE ONLY. A “General- Under Honorable Conditions” discharge is not the same as an “HONORABLE” discharge. Due to the criteria of our program, each applicant must have an “HONORABLE” Discharge from the United States Armed Forces to be eligible for enrollment.
2. Provide a letter from a qualified physician (Qualified physician MD, Psychiatrist, Nurse Practitioner, Ph.D. Psychologist) stating,
   1. You have a diagnosis of service related PTSI, TBI, or MST.
   2. You are medically, mentally, and physically able to manage the responsibilities of participating in the training of a Service Dog, owning a Service Dog, and have the ability to travel. (Including exercising daily, must be able to walk 1 mile)
   3. Physician must also attest in the letter that you are not currently undergoing inpatient treatment, or that you are 6-months or more post successful substance abuse, mental health, or suicide ideation treatment.
3. Letter of reasonable accommodation from your employer (if employed).
4. Must be physically able to endure the rigors of training a Service Dog.
5. Must have a stable home environment as evidenced by a virtual home inspection or in-person home inspection.
6. Proof of stable housing over six consecutive months.
7. Must be able to commit to a training schedule; of a minimum of 30 weeks.
8. Agreement statement from other adult(s) house members to have a dog, if appropriate.
9. Willing to participate in weekly training classes.
10. Must have the most current and complete form DD-214 or NGB-22.
11. No current alcohol or substance abuse and clean for at least 6 months.
12. Individuals convicted of a felony, domestic violence, sexual offense of any kind, and or any type of animal mistreatment, abuse, neglect, or cruelty are ineligible.
13. Identify a substitute caregiver.