It’s well known that dogs are some of our best friends. They often love us more than we deserve. For many Veterans, dogs are also lifesaving partners. Mary Peter has seen this happen time and time again. As the daughter of a Navy Sailor and wife of an Army Vietnam Veteran, she saw a great need for Veteran dog training for all generations of military service. In 2014, Peter founded K9 Partners for Patriots to provide a coalition of support to Veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress (PTSD), traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and military sexual trauma (MST).

How It Works

While there’s not a national certification for service dogs, Peter is part of a board of directors for the International Association of Canine Professionals, a program that accredits other dog training programs. Currently, there are 23 other service organizations throughout the U.S. within the Association.

Unlike the national model which focuses on training dogs and then sending them to Veterans, K9 Partners for Patriots teaches a community model by working with Veterans to train their dogs. Within their 10,000 sq. ft. training area located in Brooksville, Florida, Vets and their canines are trained through real-life scenarios that are designed to simulate what a service dog might experience in stores, restaurants and offices. Together, both the Veteran and canine learn to navigate tight and crowded areas and are encouraged to graduate from self-doubt to self-confidence through reconnection, hope and healing.

How to Qualify

Veterans who are interested in joining the program should first visit the K9 Partners for Patriots website and click on Veterans Start Here which walks the Veteran through facts, qualifications and online enrollment. To qualify, Veterans must provide:

  A DD214 stating the character of service (must be Honorable).

  A service-related diagnosis of PTSD, TBI or MST.

  A physician’s letter medical, mental, and physical capability to handle the responsibility to train and own a dog.

  No history of felony convictions, animal abuse or domestic violence.

Volunteers, those interested in foster care, dog donations and fundraising assistance are all welcome program support.

For More Information

Watch the full video on this week’s Your Next Mission^® video podcast episode on our website or on our YouTube channel.

Your Next Mission^® is a program initiative of the American Freedom Foundation, a non-profit
dedicated to serving our Veterans and Families. Your Next Mission^® video podcast with host
12th SMA (R) Jack L. Tilley features insightful conversation with subject matter experts from the
military and civilian communities. It’s a place where we can have frank and honest
conversation, tackle the tough questions, share stories, and have some fun along the way.