K9s For Warriors

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.

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

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

• Service dog training
• Veteran PTSD support
• Rescue dog rehabilitation
• Nonprofit veteran services
• Assistance dog programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Ponte Vedra

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise through the online shop and at events, with proceeds supporting the mission.
3. 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

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core 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

Named customers8 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Sparkling Ice (Talking Rain Beverage Company)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerRenewed 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'scoreGTM or Marketing PartnerConvenience 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.
• DogtopiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDog 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 CorrectionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to train service dogs for veterans. Initiative provides support for veterans through trained service dogs.
• Houston AstrosminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional baseball team partnership through Lance McCullers Jr. hosting veteran and service dog at games for first pitch ceremonies.
• OHAIRE Lab (University of Arizona)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-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 AirminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAviation partner that donated retired airline seats installed on K9s For Warriors campuses for service dog flight training simulations.
• Service Dogs Assisting Veterans Act (Congress)coreOthersK9s 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

Direct 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

• Xtwitter.com/k9sforwarriors
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCXve00jiOndstzATi2kqKQA
• Facebookfacebook.com/K9sforWarriors
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/k9s-for-warriors
• Instagraminstagram.com/k9sforwarriors

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about K9s For Warriors