Our Programs
Our Companion Dog program is program designed for Veterans who don’t need or desire a fully trained PTSD Service Dog, but stand to benefit greatly from a well-trained, four-legged battle buddy and companion, particularly when home alone or at night. This companion dog program will span approximately 8 weeks and 75 training hours, graduating with the AKC’s Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certificate. It does NOT, however, provide the privileges reserved for Service Dogs and you must comply with all rules and expectations applicable to a pet family dog.
Apply NowK9s on The Front Line provides their services to military Veterans with PTSD and/or TBI whose invisible wounds are connected to having served in combat or military conflict zones. Our team has first-hand knowledge of the effects of PTSD and better yet, our trainers are the best of the best – active or retired police or military K9 handlers with many years of real world experience, and a full understanding of the battles that brought you to us.
Once we receive your application and review it, our team will contact you and make sure we fully understand your specific situation.
We will then meet you to discuss further details and have any questions answered. You are also welcome to visit one of our ongoing Veteran classes.
We will then explore what temperament, size and type of dog you desire and need. Our team will then find the best possible K9 candidate for you, with your input.
Both programs feature classes of 4-6 Veterans that are held once a week for two hours, at varying locations, and strive to accommodate everyone’s schedule. You are required to keep a training log and record a minimum of 2 training hours daily, in addition to providing enough exercise.
K9sOTFL is committed to our growing family of Veterans and our trainers are available for any follow-up you may need. We encourage you to help others and sustain the program.
Apply nowOur Veterans, In Their Own Words.
In 2021, after years of struggle and feeling on the brink of losing everything, I reached out to K9s On The Front Line and Jason Howe. To my amazement, Jason responded quickly, introducing me to my service dog, Trigger. Through training, we built an unbreakable bond that transformed my life. This program's guidance and support helped me find purpose and hope again, motivating me to help others. K9OTFL truly saves lives. Thank you, Jason and K9s On The Front Line
Tyler Hultz
US Army
Before I got Witten, I felt lost and without purpose. Anxiety, depression, and alcoholism weighed me down. But Witten gave me new life—challenging me daily and helping me rediscover confidence. Weekly training sessions provided structure and community, while journaling helped me reflect and grow. Witten not only brought joy but also opened doors I had shut due to my mental health struggles. K9s on the Front Line truly changed my life. Thank you! CPT(R) Thomas B Hutchinson (Tommy)
Thomas Hutchinson
CPT(R)
My journey with K9s On The Front Line has been life-changing. Though I still battle PTSD, anxiety, and alcoholism, Knox, my service dog, has been a lifeline, keeping me grounded and sober. With Knox by my side, I feel empowered to face each day. God brought Jason and K9s into my life at the perfect time, transforming me into a better person. I’m eager to give back and help others. Sincerely, Brian and Knox
Brian Lang
US Army
After being diagnosed with PTSD following my Army retirement, I struggled to find purpose. Meeting Jason Howe from K9s On The Front Line changed everything. With Jason’s guidance, I adopted and trained my service dog, Loki. The journey wasn’t easy, but Jason’s unwavering support helped me push through. Loki became my battle buddy, providing hope and companionship in my darkest moments. Thanks to Jason and Loki, I found opportunity in my chaos. Sincerely, Justin Keith Jereda MSG(R), USA
Justin Keith Jereda
MSG(R), USA
I am proud to report as of right now I have made Dean’s list twice consecutively now with a GPA of 3.6. I have never done this well in school and I do believe much of that focus and ability is in major part from all your help and support, as well as the day to day support I get from my service dog. Theo has helped me through some very difficult times in the past couple of years and has been a constant light in my day. He and you have really proven that it just takes one step and one friend to help make a brother’s or sister’s life easier to manage. I am now entering my third year in the civilian world and I don’t think I would have made it this far without you.
Benjamin Chamberlain
US Marine Corps
I was mentally sliding downhill and not willing to lose everything. Building a bond and relationship with Max as my battle buddy has taught me how to reconnect socially and emotionally, and to feel less isolated. With every success I feel a sense of pride and achievement, because I taught him and he taught me how to get there. Having a service dog seems intimidating at times, like it's broadcasting my mental state for the world to see and maybe judge. The world doesn't matter, though. Max is the one that has my back no matter what. I think he's the best risk I've ever taken. Thank you K9s on The Front Line, you changed my life.
Sara Nicholson
US Army
Thank you Team K9sOTFL for giving me this lifesaving opportunity. Leo and I have become a heck of a team; my Battle Buddy keeps standing watch. He has become a part of me and an extension of me. Leo has helped me better myself and my life. I have seen such a change in he and myself, I feel like a part of me is missing when he is not by my side. This is a precious gift and has helped me in so many ways, more than most people realize and that many will never understand. To my Brothers and Sisters who know exactly know what I am talking about, don’t be afraid to reach out.
Bob Higgins
US Army
It may sound over the top, but in some ways, it is a matter of life and death. I’ve been to the edge with my thoughts. Dawson helps to center me, or find a place where I am not as numb. He is trained to sense my trigger situations and settle me down. In stores, he will sit behind me to provide the additional personal space I need in lines. Dawson is just a fun partner and he keeps it light.
Raymond MacGregor
US Air Force
I am a Vietnam Vet and spent two tours in Nam. I have struggled for many years with PTSD, and was planning on being one of the 22 Veterans per day who choose to end it rather than keep living it. I was taking pills to go to bed and taking pills to get through the day. I found K9sOTFL and after only 12 weeks with my dog I don’t take pills anymore. I look forward to getting up each day and I don’t have nightmare anymore. Thank you K9sOTFL for giving me a new life. God bless you all.
Herman Wright
US Army
Prior to having JB, my life was pretty lonely. I didn't leave the house except to go to my VA appointments. I have not felt much connection to the world around me for the last 10 years. Since my retirement, my health had been in a constant downward spiral. Getting my health, focus and motivation back had only been a dream, until I connected with K9sOTFL…...I was blown away! I felt like the universe was saying ‘Paul you asked for this, you need this, so here you go, the rest is up to you’. I was ready for things to change, to get my life back and so much more. I am eternally grateful for finding K9sOTFL and completing their amazing program, and making new friends for life. This program is making a huge difference in the lives of Veterans.
Paul Bernard
US Army
To qualify for our program, you:
No, our program is entirely funded by charitable and private donations and completely free of charge for you. However, you must be able to financially afford having a dog. This includes veterinary care, dog food and other routine miscellaneous expenses.
We do our best to match the appropriate dog temperament to each individual Veteran. However, every dog needs daily exercise – tired dogs make for happy handlers. At a minimum, you must be able to walk your dog for at least one mile, twice a day. K9s on The Front Line’s Service Dogs are not designed for physical impairments – if this is what you are searching for please reach out to us and we will work with you to find an organization that can help you.
The Service Dog program will have you log at least 240 training hours and 60 public access hours, over a period of 4-5 months. During that time you need to attend weekly, supervised training sessions, every week. Missed training sessions must be made up. You need to have at least two hours of daily training at home, and record these home sessions in a log.
The companion dog program is similar in structure, but substantially shorter, with approximately 75 training ours over an 8-week period.
K9s on The Front Line assumes no financial responsibility for the animal provided to the Veteran. Although we are involved with the matching and procurement of a suitable K9 for each Veteran, it is imperative that each Veteran, and their family, understand that there is a financial commitment to caring for your dog.
Your K9 partner will be YOUR Service Dog but will undoubtably become a part of your family. Family members are not advised to feed the dog, exercise the dog, or train the dog. This is your job as the dog’s handler, and it cannot be delegated. The training philosophy and methodology you will learn is based on hundreds of combined years of our police K9 handlers’ street experience. If these basic responsibilities are passed on to others in your family, the K9 does not know who he is working for. If you want the program to work for you, you must trust the process!
The first few weeks can be tough – we won’t lie to you! When your patience wears thin, think about how your dog must be feeling. They are in a brand-new place with brand new people. They could be your best friend immediately or they might be slow to trust and slow to open up. Either situation is fine! Dogs are emotionally intelligent creatures with feelings and insecurities of their own. Every Veteran who has completed our program has joked about wanting to quit at some point in their first few weeks. This program is a two-way street; your dog wants you to be his partner, not his dictator. Allow your dog to be imperfect, to make mistakes. Allow your dog to have an off-day – they are certainly going to allow this for you. Rarely, we have had the circumstance that dog and Veteran just weren’t a good match and we work with them to find another dog.
We consider Veterans/First Responders with an existing dog to be trained as their future Service Dog, in select circumstances only, and after passing a number of tests for suitability by our K9 trainers. In our experience, most existing pet/family dogs do not qualify as a suitable Service K9 candidate. In such cases, some Veterans/First Responders added a Service Dog to their household, and everything worked out very well. This is handled on a case by case basis as adding another pet to a household adds a dynamic that cannot always be foreseen.
If the Companion Dog program sounds like the right fit for you or your loved one, click below to download our checklist and application. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Apply Now
Need to get in touch? Fill out our contact form with your name and information, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
