K9s For Warriors
K9s For Warriors is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2011 that is the nation's largest provider of trained service dogs for military veterans with PTSD, TBI, and MST, providing dogs at no cost through multi-state residential training campuses.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersPonte Vedra, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What K9s For Warriors does
K9s For Warriors is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (Tax ID 27-5219467) founded in 2011 by Shari Duval in Ponte Vedra, Florida, and is self-described as the nation's largest provider of trained service dogs to military veterans. The organization primarily rescues dogs from shelters and trains them over six to eight months to perform specialized PTSD-mitigation commands, including "Lap" (deep pressure therapy), "Look" (watching the handler's back), "Stand" (crowd barrier), "Brace" (mobility support), and travel-environment protocols using simulated airline seating donated by Atlas Air. Veterans accepted into the program complete a three-week residential training course at no financial cost, while the program's clinical methodology has been validated through a long-standing research partnership with the OHAIRE Lab at the University of Arizona and the first NIH-funded clinical trial published in JAMA Network Open in 2024.
The organization operates training campuses in Ponte Vedra, FL (National Headquarters and Davis Family Mega Kennel), Helotes, TX (Warrior Ranch), Alachua, FL (Gold Family Campus), San Antonio, TX (Petco Love K9 Center), and Phoenix, AZ (K9s For Warriors at Heidi's Village), and in January 2026 added the Duffield Veterinary Clinic, an on-site 4,284 sq ft facility providing diagnostic, surgical, and preventative care. Revenue is generated entirely through donations, foundation grants, corporate sponsorships, cause-marketing partnerships, signature fundraising events (Salute To Heroes Gala raised $1.1M in 2025), merchandise sales, and matching-gift programs; services are provided at no cost to veterans, who are responsible only for travel to training facilities.
Go-to-market combines event-driven residential training with community-led veteran network referrals, applications are accepted from all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Guam, and the organization carries an 18-24 month waitlist. In 2026 the organization launched Operation: Reach Every Warrior, a national expansion initiative replacing the centralized model with distributed training classes, beginning with a pilot in El Paso, TX in April 2026, accompanied by Phase Three of the Davis Family Mega Kennel and continued advocacy for the federal Service Dogs Assisting Veterans Act.
K9s For Warriors firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- K9s For Warriors
- Legal name
- K9s For Warriors
- Website
- https://k9sforwarriors.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- K9s For Warriors is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2011 that is the nation's largest provider of trained service dogs for military veterans with PTSD, TBI, and MST, providing dogs at no cost through multi-state residential training campuses.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
K9s For Warriors industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Service Dog Training and Veteran Mental Health Services
- NAICS
- Veterinary Services (54194), Veterinary Services (541940), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- K9 Handler & Working Dog Security Training (BPAKAOAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Handler Training, Certification & K9 Unit Compliance Services (BPAKAKAK), K9 Breeding, Procurement & Deployment Services (BPAKAKAL), K9 Care, Kenneling & Veterinary Support Services (BPAKAKAM)
Keywords
Where K9s For Warriors is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Ponte Vedra
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices6 records
Markets served
K9s For Warriors business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Grants: Primary revenue stream from individual donations, corporate partnerships, foundation grants, and matching gift programs. The organization operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with Tax ID 27-5219467, providing service dogs at no financial cost to veterans.
- Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise through the online shop and at events, with proceeds supporting the mission.
- Cause Marketing Partnerships: Partnerships with brands like Sparkling Ice and Casey's where product sales contribute funding for service dog training through promotional campaigns.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Monthly | Donation amounts ranging from $20 to $500+ per gift |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Veterans receive service at no cost |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
K9s For Warriors product offering
Product offeringCore offering
K9s For Warriors rescues dogs from shelters and trains them as service dogs to pair with military veterans suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and military sexual trauma at no cost to the veteran. The program includes an 18-24 month application and matching process followed by a 3-week residential training program at campuses in Florida and Texas, after which the veteran graduates with a fully trained service dog. Supporting programs include the Station Dog therapy dog program for first responders and an adoptable dogs program for career-changed candidates.
Product overview
K9s For Warriors operates as a nonprofit providing trained Service Dogs to military Veterans with PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and/or military sexual trauma at no cost. The core offering is the Warrior & Service Dog Program, which pairs rescued dogs with Veterans following an 18-day residential training program. Supporting programs include the Station Dog Program (therapy dogs for first responders), Adoptable Dogs (career-changed dogs for public adoption), and the Duffield Veterinary Clinic (on-site veterinary care). The organization is expanding nationally through Operation: Reach Every Warrior, with facilities in Ponte Vedra, Florida and Helotes, Texas.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Warrior & Service Dog Program The core program that provides trained Service Dogs to military Veterans with PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and/or military sexual trauma at no financial cost. Includes an 18-24 month application and matching process followed by a 3-week residential training program at campuses in Florida or Texas, where warriors live on campus and receive housing, meals, equipment, and on-campus veterinary care.
- Station Dog Program AKC-recognized Therapy Dog program providing therapy dogs to law enforcement and first responder agencies for emotional support to officers, firefighters, dispatchers, and victims exposed to trauma.
- Adoptable Dogs Program
Quantifiable outcome
- 66% lower odds of PTSD diagnosis for veterans with service dogs vs waitlisted control group (2024 NIH-funded JAMA Network Open study)
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use K9s For Warriors
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles3 records
K9s For Warriors technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
K9s For Warriors partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Sparkling Ice (Talking Rain Beverage Company)coreRenewed partnership to support K9s For Warriors through sales of new Sparkling Ice Caffeine Soda Shoppe flavors (Cherry Cola and Root Beer). Proceeds fund training of service dogs for veterans at no financial cost.
- Casey'scoreConvenience store partner running 2 for $3 promotion on Sparkling Ice 16oz cans during May and June, with proceeds helping fund service dog training for veterans.
- DogtopiaminorDog wellness franchise partner with veteran and service dog team presence at grand opening events. Dogtopia Foundation raised over $5 million and supported over 700 veterans through service dog training.
- Oklahoma CorrectionsminorPartnership to train service dogs for veterans. Initiative provides support for veterans through trained service dogs.
- Houston AstrosminorProfessional baseball team partnership through Lance McCullers Jr. hosting veteran and service dog at games for first pitch ceremonies.
- OHAIRE Lab (University of Arizona)coreLong-standing research partnership with the OHAIRE Lab at University of Arizona's College of Veterinary Medicine for scientific research on human-animal interaction and service dog efficacy for PTSD.
- Atlas AirminorAviation partner that donated retired airline seats installed on K9s For Warriors campuses for service dog flight training simulations.
- Service Dogs Assisting Veterans Act (Congress)coreK9s For Warriors helped craft bipartisan, bicameral legislation and participated in Capitol Hill press conference calling for immediate passage. The nation's largest provider helped shape policy to support service dogs for veterans.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights6 records
K9s For Warriors competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- ECAD (Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities): Nonprofit training service dogs for people with disabilities including veterans. Comparable training methodology, placement process, and nonprofit funding structure.
- Canine Companions for Independence: One of the largest nonprofit providers of trained service dogs (including for veterans) at no cost to recipients. Most direct comparable in terms of mission, training methodology, residential program model, and donor-funded economics.
- America's VetDogs: 501(c)(3) that trains and places service dogs with disabled veterans, including those with PTSD. Operates a similar residential training program and is a near-overlap in target beneficiary and funding sources.
- Southeastern Guide Dogs: Nonprofit providing service dogs (guide, service, facility) including to veterans. Same Florida base as K9s For Warriors and operates a similar residential training and fundraising gala model.
- Freedom Service Dogs: Nonprofit providing custom-trained service dogs to veterans and others with disabilities, including PTSD. Comparable mission, training methodology, and donor-driven economics.
- Paws With A Cause: National nonprofit training assistance dogs (service, hearing, seizure response) for people with disabilities. Comparable model in terms of no-cost placement, long waitlists, and donor-funded operations.
- Patriot Paws Service Dogs: Nonprofit training service dogs specifically for disabled American veterans, including PTSD. Direct competitor in the veteran service-dog niche with comparable no-cost-to-recipient model and similar fundraising mix.
- Guide Dogs of America: Nonprofit providing guide dogs and service dogs at no cost, including to veterans. Directly comparable in service model, training intensity, and nonprofit economics.
Broad incumbents
- Wounded Warrior Project: Largest nonprofit serving post-9/11 veterans with a broad portfolio of programs (mental health, physical wellness, employment). While not a service-dog provider, it competes for the same donor dollar targeting veterans with PTSD and is a likely funder/partner for veteran programs like K9s For Warriors.
Emerging players
- Pets for Vets: Nonprofit pairing shelter dogs with veterans to help with PTSD, anxiety, and TBI. Overlaps with K9s For Warriors' rescue-and-pair model but does not provide fully trained service dogs; smaller scale and similar donor base.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
K9s For Warriors social profiles
Digital presenceK9s For Warriors financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
K9s For Warriors leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
K9s For Warriors subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries5 records
K9s For Warriors funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
K9s For Warriors M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about K9s For Warriors
What does K9s For Warriors do?
K9s For Warriors rescues dogs from shelters and trains them as service dogs to pair with military veterans suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and military sexual trauma at no cost to the veteran. The program includes an 18-24 month application and matching process followed by a 3-week residential training program at campuses in Florida and Texas, after which the veteran graduates with a fully trained service dog. Supporting programs include the Station Dog therapy dog program for first responders and an adoptable dogs program for career-changed candidates.
Is K9s For Warriors a public or private company?
K9s For Warriors is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was K9s For Warriors founded?
K9s For Warriors was founded in 2011.
Where is K9s For Warriors based?
K9s For Warriors is headquartered in Ponte Vedra, United States, in the North America region.
How does K9s For Warriors make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Donations and Grants are the primary driver. The others are merchandise Sales and cause Marketing Partnerships.
Who are K9s For Warriors's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are ECAD (Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities), Canine Companions for Independence, America's VetDogs, Southeastern Guide Dogs, Freedom Service Dogs, Paws With A Cause, Patriot Paws Service Dogs and Guide Dogs of America. Wounded Warrior Project is listed as a broad incumbent. Pets for Vets is listed as an emerging player.
Does K9s For Warriors have an API?
No public API is recorded for K9s For Warriors.
What industry is K9s For Warriors in?
K9s For Warriors's product category is Service Dog Training and Veteran Mental Health Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAKAOAK, K9 Handler & Working Dog Security Training, with a secondary code of BPAKAKAK, Handler Training, Certification & K9 Unit Compliance Services. Its NAICS code is 54194 and its SIC code is 8300.