K-9 Partners for Patriots (K9P4P) has relocated to a brand new building at 15322 Aviation Loop Drive in the Brooksville-Tampa Regional Airport Industrial Complex near its former location. The 11,000 sq. ft. facility more than doubles the amount of space the organization can devote to its mission of training service dogs to aid veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other issues.
“With this facility we have the opportunity to expand the number of classes. We can have a class going on in one area and we have space to offer one-on-one training in another area. We’re planning to introduce an ‘advanced’ class too,” states Mary Peter, Founder and CEO of the organization.
The new headquarters is divided into two main areas. There is a 1,000 sq. ft. reception area and a much larger 10,000 sq. ft. training area. This portion of the building is used for conducting classes for the veterans and their service dogs and is also partitioned into cubicles where the veterans can have private counseling. Other sections of the training area are set up to resemble a doctor’s office and a store/café. Here the dogs are taught how to act in these real-life environments.
Currently there are 275 active members (dogs and veterans). Of those, 133 have graduated from the training, which lasts an average of five months. This length of time may vary because the participants are not pushed but are allowed to progress at their own pace. The remaining veterans and dogs are in the process of going through the classes.
There are a number of goals that K9P4P is working to achieve.
Ms. Peter continues, “We want to share our methodology with groups in other states so that it can be replicated to help as many veterans as possible. We’re determined to increase awareness; encourage more families to consider fostering a dog for a future veteran here; and inspire contributors at the corporate level as well as the grassroots and veterans groups who have been so loyal and supportive of our efforts.”
As more people learn of the improvements made by veterans matched with service dogs to better manage their PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury and/or Military Sexual Trauma the number of veterans needing programs like this grows steadily. There is always a need for suitable dogs that can be matched with a veteran.
Some dogs are rescued from shelters; others are donated by individuals for various reasons.There is also a need for people to foster dogs who are waiting to be matched with a veteran and to start their training.
A program such as K-9 Partners for Patriots is a win-win situation in so many ways. Veterans suffering with these issues are helped. Dogs who might have otherwise been put to sleep are given another chance at life and an opportunity to be useful. Families of veterans and the community, as a whole, also benefit by restoring a productive person to society.
Anyone interested in visiting the facility is asked to schedule in advance by going to https://k9partnersforpatriots.com/schedule-a-visit/ Call 352-397-5306 for more information about the organization.
For other Hernando Sun articles on K-9 Partners for Patriots go to
https://hernandosun.com/K-9_Partners_for_Patriots_20170505 and
https://hernandosun.com/benefits-of-service-dogs