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Veterans must be able and willing to come to the Patriot K9 training campus located in central Wisconsin (Wausau), once a week for 22 consecutive weeks. (This does not include your 3 week required class commitment prior to your class series start date).
We do accept veterans from out of our service area or out of state. You will be personally required to find a place for an extended stay locally for the entire length of the 22-week class series.
Costs are always on the increase with supplies and dog-related costs always going up. As of April 2023 our cost per dog is around $22,000.
There is NO COST or CHARGE to a Veteran. We provide this service for free to the qualified Veteran.
Veterans accepted into the program will be provided:
Our complete training program consists of 6 weeks of obedience and husbandry training, we call Boot Camp.
Upon completion of our Boot Camp, you move onto our 24 Week Service Dog Course. Total time invested is 30 weeks.
Our hours are Monday – Friday 8am to 4:30pm.
Most classes start at 10am, but we have other classes that take place at differing times. Please contact us prior to a visit to make sure we are available at 715-298-1373.
We don’t currently offer classes at night or weekends. We look at the schedule just like if you were attending school. You are expected to be able to attend the entire training series. Each circumstance will be addressed.
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. Letter from a qualified physician stating your diagnosis of service related PTSI, TBI, or MST. (Qualified physician MD, Psychiatrist, Nurse Practitioner, Ph.D. Psychologist).
3. Must be able to provide a letter from a physician stating you are medically, mentally, and physically able to manage the responsibilities of owning a Service Dog. Including exercising daily.
4. No other dogs in the household.
5. Letter of reasonable accommodation from employer.
6. Must be physically able to endure the rigors of training a Service Dog.
7. Must have a stable home environment as evidenced by a virtual home inspection or in-person home inspection.
8. Must be able to commit to a training schedule; of a minimum of 30 weeks.
9. Willing to participate in weekly training classes.
10. Must have the most current and complete DD-214 form.
11. No current alcohol or substance abuse.
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.
If you own your own dog and would like to enroll them in our program, here are the basic requirements: