SLO-based nonprofit New Life K9s earns Assistance Dogs International accreditation
– New Life K9s, a San Luis Obispo-based nonprofit that provides trained psychiatric service dogs to veterans and first responders diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, has announced that it has received accreditation from Assistance Dogs International.
Assistance Dogs International is a global coalition of nonprofit organizations that raise, train, and place assistance dogs. The organization sets and promotes standards for assistance dog acquisition, training, and partnership. Accreditation is based on a peer-review process conducted by a trained assessor over two to four days. Organizations must be reaccredited every five years to maintain membership. There are currently 170 accredited assistance dog programs worldwide.
Based in San Luis Obispo, New Life K9s trains each service dog over a two-year period in obedience, public access, and PTSD-related tasks. These tasks include interrupting panic attacks, retrieving medication, creating interpersonal space, and waking handlers from nightmares. The dogs are provided at no cost to qualified veterans and first responders.
“Our mission is to prevent suicide, reduce homelessness, enrich relationships, and foster healing through the human-canine bond,” according to the organization.
The accreditation connects New Life K9s to a global network of similar programs and enhances its eligibility for grants, partnerships and recognition from institutions such as the Department of Veterans Affairs and mental health providers.
“Accreditation affirms the organization’s integrity, professionalism, and commitment to excellence in every aspect of its mission,” according to New Life K9s.
More information about New Life K9s is available at www.newlifek9s.org. For details about Assistance Dogs International, visit www.assistancedogsinternational.org.
