Apply for a Service Dog

Eligible persons include

Veteran: An individual who has served in the Canadian Armed Forces or Royal Canadian Mounted Police

First Responder:For the purposes of our organization we define a first responder as a police officer, firefighter or paramedic. Individuals who have previously held one of these roles and who’s role required them to be the first direct response in emergency situations.

Qualifying Criteria

Be a veteran or first responder with proof of service and current work situation (if applicable)

Has a diagnosis of an Operational Stress Injury (PTSD)

Is actively and successfully involved in a care plan to manage their diagnosis by seeing a care team, and following the desired program

Has a letter or referral from your treating Psychiatrist/ Psychologist or Mastered Level Clinician indicating that they think a service dog will be beneficial

Has the means and ability to provide for all the dog’s needs, including food, shelter, veterinarian care, exercise, and continued training

Can commit to the training program and understands the need to follow the rules and guidelines to keep their dog up on all the training so that they continue to function as a Service Dog

Fire Team K-9’s Inc. provides Service Dogs to Veterans and First Responders with Operational Stress Injuries. Our Eligibility Criteria exists solely to best match individuals to our dog’s skills and training. Our dogs are trained to mitigate specific diagnosis.

Application Process

To help ensure the success of each team, we have designed an intensive application process to assist with the placement and matching of our dogs.

Service Dogs are valued at $40,000 over their eight to ten year working life; however, each dog is provided free of charge to approved clients.

FTK-9 Inc receives no government funding and relies entirely on donations from the general public, corporate sponsors, fundraising events, and community supporters.

Clients are not obligated to fundraise, and fundraising efforts are in no way tied to when and if they receive their Service Dog; however, many assist our existing fundraising efforts or organize their own fundraisers.

The actual direct cost of the Service Dog to the client is their travel, accommodations and food costs during the Education Stage of the process.

Our application process is currently OPEN. Please indicate your interest through our Inquiry Form.

Inquiry Stage

Click for more details

Applicants interested in a FTK-9 Service Dog express their interest online by completing our Inquiry Form. Eligible inquiries will receive a phone call within 30 days to review their eligibility and disccus the application process.

Inquiries are currently OPEN. Please indicate your interest through our Inquiry Form.

Eligibility Stage

Click for more details

Applicants are guided through completing the application package by our Client Services team. Applicants meet with their care providers to complete portions of the application, then returns all documents to Client Services. An in person interview will complete the initial application package.

Application Stage

Click for more details

Applicants are guided through home visits and an in person interview.

Education Stage

Click for more details

Applicants attend our Service Dog Handler Program to work with a potential Service Dog match. This 8 to 10 month education program will teach you how to use your new Service Dog.

Certification Stage

Click for more details

Applicants are supported by FTK-9 during the matching process with additional skills maintenance, regular access to our Trainers and for recertification. This Aftercare continues for the life of your Service Dog.

The Service Dog Application Process may take up to two years to complete

Fire Team K-9’s Inc. is a proud Service Dog provider for Wounded Warriors Canada and the Royal Canadian Legion, Ontario Command.