Heartland Canines for Veterans

12/12/2024

Step one in the pairing process for Willow and her Veteran! Introductions were made today and we are super excited and hopeful!
Cody is a Veteran in the Joplin area and soon you'll be seeing these two out together. Be sure, say hello, and wish them luck!
Thank you to American Legion Post 322 Webb City, MO Webb City Elks Lodge #861 VFW Post 7630 Webb City, MO for making this pairing possible! Between these organizations, every single penny was raised for the team... medical, equipment, testing, gear... all of it! We are grateful for such amazing organizations!

09/12/2024

This is a "pretty good" flow chart. While giving presentations, I get asked a lot on this subject and it's a great thing to be educated as a business or company.
The biggest reason I said this chart is only "pretty good" as I feel, it's missing the MOST important part of screening: OBSERVATION.
Before you even engage in a conversation try these things:
1. Lead with empathy. It's tough enough in today's world. IF you go to the chart, are you asking simply because you "can",or, it's "policy"? I STRONGLY recommend you do not dehumanize someone because "policy" dictates you "can". If a conversation is to be had how about, "What a pretty dog!" Or ALWAYS a winner, "I sure wish I could take my dog with me places but they aren't a service dog. What services does your dog do?" You LITERALLY just made yourself an ally and did it without being confrontational.
2. Understand you're not a subject matter expert on service dogs. Service dogs are used for many things other than mobility and "seeing".
3. I go back to the most important... before engaging, OBSERVE. You can answer 99% of your questions before they are even asked.
- Is the dog observant to their handler or all over the map?
-Is the handler letting people pet the dog? See this? ENGAGE IMMEDIATELY. Service dogs are for the handler ONLY.
-Is the dog making observable motions? IE, blocking people from getting too close? Watching behind the handler in a "watch" position?
Dog they have the dog in a "carry" bag? ENGAGE IMMEDIATELY.
Lastly, recognize some places ARE pet friendly.
Heart Canines are allies to our community. If you have questions, reach out. Would like a demonstration or class at your work place? Reach out.
Service dogs CHANGE lives. Don't be the person who takes your pets places and say "they're a service dog" and don't be that business that stays uneducated. We are here to help.

Jimmy Burgess
Executive Director

09/12/2024

Good afternoon, everyone. We are officially deep in the holiday season and closing in on the end of the year. Please go to this link listed to help us with our next service dog in training.
Thank you to you all!
https://heartlandk9s.org/donate/

04/12/2024

Thank you for supporting us!

Thank you Heartland Canines for Veterans for the fancy plaque! We love to support our Veterans and Community, and we appreciate everything you do!!

03/12/2024

Today is the day! Please make today the day you decide to help change the life of a Veteran.

https://heartlandk9s.org/donate/

02/12/2024

More wreaths added!

28/11/2024

Hello happy family of Heartland! Recognizing tomorrow is Thanksgiving, Happy Thanksgiving!
Second, along with our merch that is flying off the shelf, we are opening to you guys an opportunity to get our limited edition (20) HK9 wreaths for this holiday season! Each will include a Heartland ornament with our logo, "2024" on it and your limited addition number IE 1/20.
These are being made specially for our season fundraiser and will be $75 each. Again, there are only 20 of them and these are the first three that were made specifically as a way to help our service dog program.
If you want one, simply drop your name here and I will send you the place to pay. These are BEAUTIFULLY crafted and we know you will love them. This is first come, first serve,so act quickly,they will not last long!

24/11/2024

Riley the Service Dog enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner with the folks at VFW Post 7630 Webb City, MO American Legion Post 322 Webb City, MO today. We are thankful for everyone involved and part of these organizations... for all they've done for us, for Heartland Canines for Veterans, service dogs and the community!

20/11/2024

Congrats to MJ and his Veteran Paul with their service dog final testing today! Yes, that means they passed with flying colors!
Please help us in congratulating this outstanding team. They were 💯 meant for each other.
Also, to Jack Henry and your team. YOU made this possible. YOU have helped in providing a LIFE CHANGING service dog for another American. A Veteran. A father. A husband. A friend. You've improved the quality of life for MJ as well. This home is where he belongs, and they, WE are grateful for you and your commitment to helping. Thank you.

20/11/2024

You guys were outstanding and so welcoming!

20/11/2024

Giving Tuesday is coming up! However, you can always use the QR code to donate and help our program! Thanks!

If you are on your cell and wish to donate, simply go to https://heartlandk9s.org/donate/ and click on the yellow button at the bottom of the screen.

19/11/2024

Good morning! Interested in seeing our testing process? We are happy to announce tomorrow MJ and Paul are taking their final service dog test tomorrow at Lowe's Home Improvement in Joplin tomorrow at 3PM.
Heartland staff and board members will also be available to answer questions about or processes, our goals and our mission.
MJ, a black lab was sponsored by Jack Henry and we are so happy to see this team moving forward in their journey of teamwork and healing.
Why MJ is so special is summed up in his name alone. With this team fully sponsored by Jack Henry, they also had the opportunity to name him. He was named after a Jack Henry employee's son who paid the ultimate price in service to our country.
We look forward to their graduation celebration in the future, knowing the Gold Star Mom will be in attendance to help honor her son and their family's sacrifice.

19/11/2024

What is a service dog?

If you were to ask who that K9 is a team member with, they'd tell you...
A service dog is a second chance.
A service dog provides a service, much like a prosthetic. But they are much more than that. They can be trained to wake up Veterans from night terrors, they can recover keys, turn on lights, keep others feom getting too close, notify the Veteran if they are getting to close and much, much more.

Dogs are amazing. Service dogs take that to another level.

As we come in to our 10th year serving Veterans, we reach out to you for help. Please consider contributing to the cost of our next service dog. We do not charge the Veterans in our program ONE CENT. And that only happens through contributions. You can go to our website, Www.heartlandk9s.org and help this Christmas season.

17/11/2024

Colder weather incoming! Also incoming? Christmas!!! What better stocking stuffer than an HK9 hat? And who doesn't want hoodie weather!
We are now taking orders for Christmas! In order to receive your order before Christmas, orders must be made by December 11.
Hoodies available in: Black, white and Coyote
$35 each (All sizes available)
Hats available in: American Flag, black front and white front (special order colors MAY be available upon request for an additional $5)
Hats are $22
Shipping is available and FREE for orders over $100.
All proceeds go to the training of our next service dog team!
Local to the Joplin area? Riley the Service Dog will deliver for picture opportunities!

16/11/2024

We love seeing our seasoned service dogs still improving the quality of life for our Veterans! My Healing Journey With Molly, The Alaskan Malamute Service Dog

Please think about going to our website and donating to helping our next team!
Www.heartlandk9s.org