Whether you're a veteran or first responder seeking a service dog, a department that needs a K9, a sponsor, or a volunteer — start here. Applications go directly to the Foundation board.
Every request is read by a person, not a filter. Here's the typical path from application to placement.
Submit the form below. Tell us who the dog is for, the need, and anything urgent. We typically respond within a few business days.
A board member reaches out to understand your situation — your day-to-day, your home, your experience with dogs, and what you need the dog to do. For departments: your K9 program, handler, and certification standard.
The board reviews the application against available funding and dogs in the pipeline. When it's a fit, we begin matching a dog to the handler's needs and temperament.
The dog completes professional task and public-access training (service dogs) or detection/patrol training to the agency's standard (police K9s). This is the longest step; a good dog isn't rushed.
The handler trains with the dog so the two work as a team. Service dogs go home with their handler at no cost. K9s are donated to the department.
We stay in touch. Veterinary needs, refresher training, and emergencies involving placed dogs are covered by the Foundation's care funding and reserve.
Use this form for any of the following. Pick the request type that fits and give us as much detail as you're comfortable sharing — it helps us respond faster.
Prefer email? info@wmk9foundation.org. For urgent medical needs involving a placed dog, say so in your message and we'll prioritize it.
Yes. The Foundation funds the dog, the training, and the placement. The handler is responsible for the dog's day-to-day care once placed, and we help with veterinary needs and emergencies through our care funding and reserve.
Veterans of any branch and era, and first responders — police, fire, EMS, corrections, and dispatch — who can provide a stable home and daily care for a working dog and are committed to handler training. Tell us about your situation in the application and we'll talk it through.
It depends on funding and where a suitable dog is in training. Professional service-dog training takes months, and we don't shorten it. We'll give you an honest timeline once we've reviewed your application.
About $15,000 per service dog, based on our 2024 placements — procurement, training, matching, and placement. Every dollar is itemized on our Open Books page.
Yes. Choose "Apply for a police K9" above and tell us about your K9 program, your handler, the capability you need (detection, patrol, dual-purpose), and your funding gap. We prioritize Michigan agencies.
Yes. WMK9 Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3), EIN 81-4182957. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law and a receipt is emailed automatically.
No. No board member, officer, employee, or volunteer receives compensation. 100% of donations go to training and fulfilling our purpose.
100% of every gift goes to training and placement. No one at the Foundation is paid.
