Nonprofit celebrates 15 years of pairing service dogs with military veterans

A national nonprofit organization is launching an initiative that aims to expand access to service dogs for veterans living with invisible wounds of war. The organization K9s For Warriors, a service dog provider to military veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury, and/or military sexual trauma, is marking its 15th anniversary with its Operation: Reach Every Warrior initiative.¹

K9s For Warriors was founded in 2011 and paired 8 warriors with service dogs that same year. The organization’s growth was highlighted in 2025, when it paired 128 veterans with service dogs. Since its founding, K9s For Warriors has provided dogs to more than 1200 veterans and has rescued more than 2500 dogs.¹

Operation: Reach Every Warrior is a pilot initiative created to extend the organization's reach beyond its existing campuses in Helotes, Texas, and Ponte Vedra, Florida. The effort will allow the organization to deploy training classes—in addition to its existing monthly classes—in select cities across the country. This expansion of services increases veterans’ access to life-changing service dogs and streamlines potential travel hardships.¹

The first city on this journey is El Paso, Texas—known as the veterans’ capital of the US—where in April 2026, the organization paired 4 veterans with service dogs in collaboration with the Endeavors Health and Wellness Center, which is serving as the pilot expansion site. This location is enabling K9s For Warriors to evaluate operational efficiencies, partnership models, and program delivery before launching in additional markets.¹

"Fifteen years ago, K9s For Warriors set out with a simple but urgent mission: to end veteran suicide," said K9s For Warriors CEO Daniel Bean in a news release.¹ "Operation: Reach Every Warrior represents the natural next step in that mission. We are committed to intentional, responsible growth that allows us to reach more veterans where they live, without compromising the quality of our program. The need remains urgent, and we are determined to meet it."

Operation: Reach Every Warrior will focus on expanding access points across key regions of the country through strong community-based partnerships, appropriate facilities, and sustainable operational planning. The goal is deliberate growth that preserves program integrity while increasing access for more veterans with PTSD and other invisible wounds of war.¹

In January 2026, K9s For Warriors formally opened its first on-site veterinary clinic with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Davis Family Mega Kennel in Ponte Vedra, Florida. The Duffield Veterinary Clinic facility is equipped with radiology, intake, surgery and recovery suites, multiple exam rooms, a laboratory and pharmacy, and dedicated laundry and biohazard rooms. With this clinic, K9s For Warriors is able to perform a wide range of services that were previously handled by outside hospitals and specialists, including body, chest, and dental radiographs; diagnostic workups for skin, gastrointestinal, neurological, and orthopedic issues; foreign-body surgeries and mass removals; and abdominal and cardiac ultrasounds.²

"The Duffield Veterinary Clinic reflects a shared commitment to ensuring service dogs receive the highest standard of care," Amy Zeifang, copresident of the Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation, said in a news release.² "These remarkable dogs give veterans a second chance at life, and it's our privilege to help provide them with the medical support they deserve. We're honored to partner with K9s For Warriors to expand their capacity for care and help meet a rising demand for service dogs nationwide."

In addition, K9s For Warriors is celebrating its 15th year by announcing phase 3 of the Davis Family Mega Kennel, which includes plans to break ground later this year for construction of the Petersen Family Building. This new building will house procurement, adoptions, K9 training, and dedicated space for research partners. It will also feature home-simulation training areas that mimic residential spaces and common everyday exposures. By bringing these critical functions under one roof, the facility will accelerate innovation, strengthen programs, and further its mission to save more lives at both ends of the leash.¹

K9s For Warriors will continue to commemorate its 15th anniversary with celebratory events in cities across the country.^1,3 These events will honor the warriors whose lives have been transformed, the supporters who made it possible, and the next generation of heroes still waiting to be served. Each event will feature inspiring warrior testimonials, special guest speakers, and additional opportunities to support the organization’s mission.¹

References

1. K9s For Warriors marks 15 years of saving lives at both ends of the leash with launch of Operation: Reach Every Warrior. News release. K9s For Warriors. March 30, 2026. Accessed March 30, 2026. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/k9s-for-warriors-marks-15-years-of-saving-lives-at-both-ends-of-the-leash-with-launch-of-operation-reach-every-warrior-302726411.html
2. K9s For Warriors marks major milestone with the opening of its first-ever on-site veterinary clinic. News release. K9s For Warriors. January 21, 2026. Accessed March 30, 2026. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/k9s-for-warriors-marks-major-milestone-with-the-opening-of-its-first-ever-on-site-veterinary-clinic-302666422.html
3. Celebrating 15 years of K9s For Warriors. K9s For Warriors. Accessed March 30, 2026. https://k9sforwarriors.org/15years/