Serving those who have served

FTK9 Service Dogs are a practical support and theraputic medical device used in conjuntion with a Veteran or First Responder's mental health treatment plan for their diagnosed Operational Stress Injuries. Our certified PTSD Service Dog program is offered to Veterans and First Responders across Canada through partnership with Wounded Warriors Canada (WWC) and The Royal Canadian Legion – Ontario Provincial Command.

The essential funding provided by Ontario Command’s Operation Service Dog expands access to Service Dogs for Veterans across Ontario. In collaboration with WWC and FTK9, this partnership is working to ensure Ontario’s Veterans are receiving the assistance they need to feel safe, supported and understood.

OSI Service Dog Benefits

A Service Dog may help in Operational Stress Injury recover in varied ways, specific and personalized to each individual.A Service Dogs are specialized medical devices that may not be the correct treatment for all individuals. A SD is a theraputic option that must integrate along side and in conjunction with your Care Team's other mental and physical health care.

Interrupt Hypervigilence

Recognizing increased tension and stress can be the first step to reducing hypervigilence. FTK9 SDs are trained to recognize indicators of hypervigilence and help their handler navigate a variety of environments more comfortably

Reintegration into a civilian lifestyle

Service Dogs can be an important conduit for building relationships in public settings. A working dog’s social and physical activity needs can enhance the wellbeing of the Team.

Mitigating Service Related Disabilities

Service Dogs can be trained to a variety of tasks to mitigate invisible and visible disabilities. Reducing the small difficulties present in life can lead to increased physical and mental wellbeing.

Why Our Service Dogs?

FTK9 program dogs are purpose-bred and carefully selected for exceptional health, temperament and intelligence.

Our program dogs grow up in both family environments (through the generosity of our Foster Families) and in our FTK9 Boarding School. Program dogs receive comprehensive training in obedience, social skills, public environments and specific task training, along with all veterinary care, grooming and training at no cost to their Handler. In addition, our SDs are owned and supported by FTK9 with training and recertification throughout our SD’s entire working life and provided at no upfront cost to eligible program participants.

FTK9’s Service Dogs are raised and trained at our Headquarters in Pembroke Ontario for the first 18 to 24 months of their life and have an eight to ten year working life. All food, veterinary care and training are provided during this time, as such our Service Dogs are valued at $40,000 each.

Each dog is provided free of charge to eligible clients.

FTK9’s receives no government funding and relies entirely on donations and fundraising 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.

Once matched, the actual direct cost of the Service Dog to the client is:

The cost of travel, accommodations and food in Pembroke Ontario during Handler Training
All regular care of the dog (grooming, travel, food and veterinary costs) are the responsibility of the recipient once the dog has been placed with the individual.

Application Process

STEP 1- CONSULT YOUR CARE TEAM

We train our Service Dogs specifically to serve the needs of service related disabilities experienced by military Veterans, First Responders and Trauma Exposed Professionals (TExP)

Service Dogs can be an integral part of reintegration into civilian life, so demand is very high for our highly trained dogs. Your first step is to work with your medical care team and carefully explore whether a Service Dog is the correct medical device for your needs. A Service Dog must be the right treatment, at the right time. Your Care Team will need to prescribe a Service Dog for your specific needs.

STEP 2 – Explore

Adding a Service Dog to your care and recovery plan is a signficant lifestyle change. Before applying for a Service Dog, be sure to research and learn more about dogs, Service Dogs and how a Service Dog may integrate into your lifestyle. A Service Dog is not the right “medicine” for everyone.

Our Service Dogs take 18 to 24 months to learn, grow and be ready for their life of service. During this time, meet with other Service Dog Handlers, watch videos, or work with trained professionals and their Facility Dogs may help you determine if a Service Dog is the correct treatment option for you.

STEP 3 – Submit your Inquiry

When you meet the Eligibility Criteria, you may submit your Inquiry.

Our Client Services Team will help walk you through the detailed Application Process to assist with the placement and matching of our dogs. The demand for our services currently exceeds our capacity and we work with a referral process to align the number of applicants we have to the number of dogs currently in the program. Our application process is currently CLOSED.

Submit Your Inquiry Here

Following your Inquiry you can expect:

Each inquiry is screened to ensure they meet our application criteria.
Our initial screening an Application Package is sent to eligible inquiries, for completion. The Application Package includes instructions for your medical care team and requires their timely input. Please ensure your medical care team is able to return your paperwork within the required deadline.
If successful, in-person and in-home interviews are conducted to meet the applicant and their household, to learn more about their lifestyle, and further define how a Service Dog might assist the applicant.

Once accepted to the program, the wait time for a fully trained Service Dog with customized skills for the client’s needs can be as little as 8 months and up to 24 months. During your time on the FTK9 waitlist, FTK9 and your medical care team may work together with you to ensure you are ready for your Service Dog. The timing of a service dog placement is determined by the availability of the correct dog for the individual’s needs and situation.

Our Waitlist is currently at capacity and our application process is currently CLOSED.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to a large daily call volume we can not respond to inquiry calls and emails. Our website includes answers to all our most commonly asked questions.

We appreciate your understanding.

Veterans Affairs PTSD

Operation Service Dog

Wounded Warriors Canada

FTK9 Eligibility Criteria

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