Fire Team K9 Service Dogs is a non profit corporation that provides Service Dogs (Operational Stress Injury) and Facility Dogs (Operational Stress Intervention) to assist Veterans and First Responders.

In the Canadian Military a Fire Team Partner is the smallest unit, two soldiers who rely on each other. Our Service Dogs are, in a sense, a Fire Team Partner for civilian life. Having a partner by their side gives a veteran an increased sense of confidence and security, which in turn helps increase their chance of success after a life of military service. 

FTK9 Service Dogs are trained to help a veteran or first responder reintegrate into civilian life.  After a life of service to their country or community many veterans and first responders need a skilled partner to help them naviagate their service related disabilities. 

A Service Dog and Handler pairing is a unique relationship formed by matching the right dog with the right Handler. Both Service Dogs and Handlers are taught to rely on and serve each other in a reciprocal partnership leading to a united Team with shared sense of purpose.

FTK9 SD is supported in part by Ontario Legion Command and Wounded Warriors Canada. WWC is a national mental health service provider dedicated to serving: Trauma Exposed Organizations (TExO), Trauma Exposed Professionals (TExP), and their Trauma Exposed Families (TExF). WWC specializes in providing culturally informed services that utilize a combination of education, counselling, and training approaches to support resiliency and recovery from post-trauma injuries.

Our Service Dogs can be trained to assist in the following tasks:

• nightmare interruption
• interrupting hypervigilance, anxiety, and flashbacks
• grounding by touch
• deep pressure therapy
• mobility assistance including retrieving, delivering, or carrying of items, mobility button assistance
• other customized tasks related to OSI diagnosis

• Applicant must have a diagnosis of an Operational Stress Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury and/or a Mobility Limiting Disability related to their work service;
• Have an approved mental health professional who has been providing ongoing treatment for a minimum of 12 months prior to application
• The applicant must be in a stable living situation and able to actively care for themselves and a service dog;
• Applicant may not reside with children under the age of 6 years old
• Applicant may not have more than one pet in the household
• Applicant must be able to independently complete 80+ hours of training in-person with FTK9

The demand for a service dog far outweighs our available service dogs in training and we do not guarantee that every applicant will receive a dog.  We screen and interview applicants whose needs match the strengths and skills of our dogs.

Matching the dog with the person is our priority and we will be with you every step of the way to ensure bonding and success.