K9 Responder Academy

01/09/2025

KRA alumni K9 Delta and his human doing some great work!

Congratulations to these CIT "Train the Trainer" participants. They are now certified to instruct on the practical portions of the CIT training, which are the scenario based role plays based on actual crisis scenarios faced by first responders.

01/08/2025

Mac from Forgotten, Now Family Rescue has started early training to be a service dog for his tiny human.

He’s VERY young, but we have time and his personality thus far has been tremendous for the work she will need him to do.

We sometimes catch shade for sourcing pups from shelters and rescues.

What do we say to those people?

Nothing. Not a dang word. We let our work product speak for itself.

We let the relationships we have built with the precious people that are still here today because of their service dogs do the talking.

01/02/2025

Know anyone like that? 😆

01/01/2025

2024 was where we went from a 1 man show to a crew of 4. Four men whose lives were changed for the better by dogs. First responders and veterans who found a calling after the job.

We're so grateful for the friends and mentors we've met along the way. I'm going to try to name them, knowing I'll inevitably leave some folks out. Forgive me, I'm flawed, you know this.

Cindy Zimmerman, firefighter turned Animal Control officer who has connected us with some amazing resources and opportunities. She's the founder for Ace Shelter to Service, and it's been an absolute honor to work dogs under that banner. Rescue dogs rule!

Erin McManus, foster coordinator at Gaston County Animal Care and Enforcement who was willing to take a chance on us time and time again. We're so proud of the work we've accomplished together. Team GCACE are the best in the biz!

Chrissy Lambert and the entire crew at Forgotten, Now Family Rescue. Because of her we placed North Carolina's first rescue pup with as a first responder therapy dog. We also have several other dogs working or training to work as service dogs from them.

Every. Single. One. of our clients who trusted us with their dogs, who sent amazing reviews, or referred us to friends. THANK YOU!

I don't have words for how proud I am of my team. Of Kemp...you will never find someone as all in for dogs as Kemp. My guy built a dog cabin on his property, and has spent many a night sleeping beside dogs who were anxious on their own, because as an army vet, he doesn't leave a man..or dog, behind.

Matt Mantooth...KRA's first client. A retired police officer and marine who has survived the darkest places PTSD can take a man. And now he regularly stands shoulder to shoulder with others, helping them navigate their journey.

My baby brother Sam, outpacing me as a dog trainer every day. I'm so proud of you, buddy.

AND...for every man in this photo, there is an amazing woman who supported us when we followed a dream.

Last but not least. Our new brother Corey. So generous with his time and knowledge, helping us learn a new skill and be the best version of ourselves.

Here's to 2025 being THE YEAR OF THE DOG!

Love y'all!

12/31/2024

Doc made FireRescue1 !

Congrats again to Thomasville Fire & Rescue for being the first NC fire department to choose a therapy dog from a rescue, and BIG thanks to our friends at Forgotten, Now Family Rescue for making it happen.

https://www.firerescue1.com/health-wellness/n-c-fd-adopts-abandoned-pup-as-therapy-dog-for-firefighters?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2-EBDRC4SA8w665r7m6mOrqwcmz7lAHKd7Evm1Gw94f7I9ZJJFDONfTDY_aem_YI47nFrzY6DGLwCyztkHPg

'Doc' will undergo training to help Thomasville deal with stress from traumatic events

12/31/2024

NOW WITH THE CORRECT DATE!

I'm better with dogs than calendars, y'all. Puppy Class will be Sunday January 26th from 1-3. The class is free, you can bring your puppy, and there will be door prizes!

We've already had 4 people sign up in our first 24 hours!

12/31/2024

Or don’t. Or both. I don’t know. Fireworks of any kind are illegal in NC without a permit. I’m a recovering fire marshal. I’m bitter about it I guess 🤣

If your dog is likely to have an adverse reaction to fireworks, Progility makes a “calming aid” soft chew that does a great job from what we’ve seen with our anxious pups.

12/30/2024

Pet in the City and K9 Responder Academy are partnering to offer a FREE class for new puppy owners.

January 26th (The flyer is wrong, sorry!) at Pet in the City we're offering a free class to cover the basics of new puppy ownership, training, nutrition and safety. Everything you need to know about your new pup in a relaxed environment.

Sign up at https://www.k9responderacademy.com/puppy-class or use the QR code. This class is free but we're looking for a head count for door prizes.

K9 Responder Academy will be offering discounted training to anyone who attends this class.

Contact us or comment here with questions!

12/28/2024

Update on Freya.

I had just left my friends amazing dog training company to open K9 Responder Academy. I felt called in a different direction that I wasn’t sure was going to work, but had to try.

One thing I learned from the life of a first responder is the importance of serving. It’s nice to get paid. It’s a necessity really. But sometimes good work just needs to get done.

So I connected with Gaston County Animal Care and Enforcement and started foster training dogs for them, and marketing them on this very social media platform.

Freya was the first (Y’all named her)

Freya was the first of what has become our 100% adoption record.

Every dog we have trained from a shelter has been adopted. It’s a record we’re very proud of, and one we’ll continue to try to hold.

Merry Christmas to Freya, her amazing family…and congrats on the matching PJ’s, girls…y’all look great! ❤️

12/27/2024

If you pull the stem out and blow in it, it becomes a squeak whistle.

Tastes like dog spit, but if you got your camera ready, the dog does one heck of a puppy head tilt.

12/26/2024

Coach Cuddle went above and beyond and got gifts for all the pups currently at KRA HQ!

12/24/2024

There’s a common joke in the training world that we do this because we like dogs better than people. And while it always gets a laugh, that’s not the case for us.

As a team of first responders, we’re wired to help, that’s why we do the amount of pro bono shelter/rescue work that we do.

But the reality is we cant have the impact that’s truly needed to save dogs without humans.

The humans willing to open their home and their hearts, willing to make sure quality training happens so their dogs can enjoy love AND freedom.

Pictured here are some of my favorite humans I’ve met in this work. Humans who chose rescue and chose to invest in training in order for their pups to live their best life.

We’re not done singing the praises of our clients, but this seemed like a great place to start.

Merry Christmas to Pretzie, Marshy, Mac, and their amazing humans!

12/24/2024

Christmas celebrations have begun here at KRA HQ. Player 2 has become one heck of an apprentice this year, and wanted to show off her matching Santa hat with Ed.

Ed is an approximately 1.5 year old pocket hyena a friend found abandoned on the side of the road, waiting for his owner to return.

We trained him and Mum and Dad adopted him…now he’s my dang step-brother…

Merry Christmas, Ed…ya filthy animal 😁

12/22/2024

Leash pulling, hyper behavior and a lackluster recall? That's so Raven...

Or it was. Coach Kemp is currently working on Raven 2.0

Life is better with a little structure, with knowing what is expected and being shown how to achieve it. So this two and a half year old rescue is learning the ropes and becoming her best self.

Ready to give your dog the life of freedom, confidence and peace you never thought possible? Contact us today!

12/21/2024

Spotlight for Doc!

https://www.wxii12.com/article/furry-friend-helps-thomasville-firefighters-manage-stress/63229286?utm_campaign=snd-autopilot&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2eXRvZRfCiyUODgBYXso77wwxnFdfoFVF6cW75qRP0o2HdLnt1a0_Mq6U_aem_4oMWptY55xtJgn9_JSuXEQ

Therapy dog joins the Thomasville Fire Department.