About K9 Battle Buddies

What they do

K9 Battle Buddies is a 501(c)(3) non-profit animal rescue and service dog organization in Hinesville. It describes itself as "a non-profit organization run by veterans for veterans" that "trains rescued dogs to be service dogs for combat veterans and active duty with PTSD… and/or TBI." Service dogs are provided at no cost to the veteran. Alongside that, the organization adopts out dogs and cats to the public and runs a foster program.

Training open to the public

This is not a closed military program. The site states the training schedule plainly: "Training is held at our facility 1534 Airport RD Hinesville, GA 31313 Every Sunday Holiday dependent. Service dog training is at 2pm and civilian training is 3pm. Civilian training is free to the public." The organization also notes that it has trainers it can refer owners to if they already have their own dog.

How the service dog program works

The published path pairs the veteran with the dog first: "Our goal is to offer immediate companionship by placing the battle buddy (rescue dog) with the veteran and then working with the veteran on training their buddy until they can pass our public access test." Applicants must be combat veterans with proof of PTSD or TBI, submit a DD-214 and a doctor's letter, and go through a home visit; an owner's existing dog is temperament tested for fit. Dogs come from partner rescues and are vet checked before and during training.

Where they work

Everything runs from the Hinesville facility on Airport Road, in Liberty County at the southern end of the Savannah metro.