Patriot K9s of Wisconsin
Patriot K9s of Wisconsin trains shelter dogs to give them a second chance at life as a service dog for veterans. Each day, an average of 20 U.S. military veterans suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) take their own lives. Patriot K9s of Wisconsin is trying to change this statistic for veterans of Central Wisconsin by providing them with a supportive companion that can grow alongside them.
Since 2017, Patriot K9s has trained qualified military veterans and shelter dogs, at no cost to veterans, to create certified service dog teams, specifically addressing the effects of PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury & Military Sexual Trauma. By working together, pairs help each other readjust to daily life by managing stress and anxiety factors that otherwise barricade individuals from living healthy, fulfilling lives.
Your Giving in Action!
Patriot K9s works with veterans and shelter dogs to change lives every day. One of the many veteran spouses wrote explaining her experience this way:
“You have brought my husband back to me and a father back to my kids. Every day I see more and more changes that I didn’t know were possible. I was hoping time would heal his suffering.… Thank you from the bottom of my heart!”
U.S. Army Veteran Jorge: “It was kinda hard to talk to people for a long time. Because I was just so angry with everybody. After 11 years of therapy and anger management groups, honestly, this is like a miracle. I can do the things they talked about in therapy but never thought I could. He (his service canine) can tell when I’m starting to get anxious or having a flashback. He automatically comes closer to me and puts his paws on me.”
“Anyone who has a chance to do this – do it! The truth is you’re not broken. You have a lot to offer.” Patriot K9s is devoted to helping disabled veterans and shelter dogs get a second chance at life. Patriot K9s has created more than 35 service dog teams. Upon graduation from the program, the veteran and canine become a highly trained certified service dog team.
Patriot K9s would not be able to fulfill its mission to train society’s cast-away shelter dogs and our honorable disabled military veterans without assistance from organizations like ours.
When Alicia returned home from her tour overseas, she began to seclude herself. She did whatever she could to avoid going out in public. She quickly realized she was becoming a very different person than who she was before her deployment. Ready to seek help and regain control of her life, she reached out to Patriot K9s of Wisconsin, where she was paired with Molly, a reliable companion that helps Alicia break barriers. Since the pair completed their training course, Alicia has been getting out of the house more. Now, when Alicia feels anxious in a crowded areas, Molly leans up against her legs and uses pressure therapy to help Alicia feel more secure. Together, the pair has made huge strides and Alicia says, “The quality of my life has improved immensely with Molly by my side.”