MK9s Service Dogs

Completed training and placed one Service Dog (SD) who now resides with his veteran in Northern VA. Veteran and SD Orion attended weekly training to further solidify the veteran/SD bond. Continued training of two Service Dogs in Training (SDiT) with their respective veterans. Acquired and began training with new SDiT in June. Although MK9s Service Dogs primarily works with veterans in Virginia, we expanded our geographic reach this year to Rhode Island and West Virginia by partnering with Mercy Medical Angels for transportation. Ongoing support is provided to our placed SD teams. Upon request by two of our veterans, their SDs received refresher SD training with our lead trainer in VA. Following their return to their partners, both veteran / SD teams continued regularly scheduled sessions with MK9s Service Dogs' training team members. Fellow veterans with their SDs offer ongoing support and mentorship for new veterans working with their SDs and SDiTs.

Active engagement with airport staffs in both VA and RI to prepare security, airport, and airline personnel for interactions with service dogs as well as prepare service dogs in training for air travel. Estimated to impact >50 individuals in 2023.

Outreach is a critical component to MK9s Service Dogs' success. Lead trainer is co-chair of the Northern Virginia Collaborative which works with veterans and organizations that support veterans. Active member of the Loudoun County Community Veteran Engagement Board. Presentations were given to increase community and veteran awareness of service dog benefits and opportunities. These presentations included Virginia Girls State program, Virginia American Legion Auxiliary conferences, and local presentations estimated to impact over 400 individuals in 2023.