Heartland Canines for Veterans

10/02/2025

It's time to give thanks to our Title Sponsor for the HK9 Putts for Paws Charity Scramble on May 9th at the Carthage Golf Course Pawsitive Care Veterinary Clinic !!
Dr. Bentley and her team have been amazing for HK9 and handle all of our Veterinarian needs from walk in issues to pharmacy and wellness care. They are friendly, efficient and easy to work with.

They will be out at the event, hanging around the club house, they have a team golfing AND as the title sponsor, they will be hanging out at Hole #12... a sweet par 3 with an AWESOME opportunity to make $10,000! That's right, hit a hole-in-one on #12 and win $10,000! Too easy! And that's on #12... every other par 3 has chances to win cash and prizes, we will also have a long drive and closest to the cup. Raffles, drawings, give aways, three flights of 1st place trophies, holes with service teams, food, drinks, we will have it all!
There are still plenty of sponsorship opportunities for this event. Please click the link below to get your team signed up, sponsor a hole or just to donate.
The goal of this event is to raise the cost for one entire service dog team.

https://heartland-k9s-putts-for-paws-charity-scramble.perfectgolfevent.com/

09/02/2025

A service dog is a reflection of opportunity. Possibilities. Sacrifice. Dedication. Selfless service.

Photo courtesy of Madi and Gunther.
Who's a good boy?!?!

31/01/2025

Anybody that knows me, knows this is one of my favorite days of the year. There will be more info as we get closer. Excited to be working with this organization again this year, and even more excited we have time to plan an amazing night.
Best easter egg is we ARE having a service dog graduation that night on the field, and I promise, it's a big one.

Joplin Outlaws

26/01/2025

Such a fun night with our friends at Elks Lodge Kimberling City ! An amazing fundraiser of rat races, good food and auction baskets. Riley the Service Dog loved watching them race. Thank you to everyone that came out!

25/01/2025

Great group of people and mouse races, we are in!

21/01/2025

We our proud to be leading the way on this with some other amazing organizations. Please follow this page with us to see it grow and develop. There are plenty of ways for you and your organization to play a part in it's success.

15/01/2025

The Elks Lodge coming through again! This time from our Elks friends at the Elks Lodge Kimberling City ! Thanks to their efforts, our next 12 Veterans already have their kennels... and well as an amazing monetary donation that will help with other equipment.
We are so thankful for them and the Elks Lodge Community.
Webb City Elks Lodge #861 Joplin Elks Lodge 501 & Venue

10/01/2025

But it's May, why should you put your team in now???
Three reasons...
1. There is 6 inches of snow on the ground, so this will make you think of sunny warm days ahead!
2. By paying now, by the time May rolls around, you won't even miss the entry fee money and it will feel like a free tournament... win win!
3. Most important, this is going to a great cause. Our goal is to raise enough money for the FULL cost of a service team. You have an opportunity to help change the life of a Veteran and their family, just by playing golf.

And as an add on, you can also get you own HK9 polo and trucker hat for $50! They will be normal price the day of the event!

09/01/2025

We are looking forward to an amazing day! So thankful for the sponsors who have come on board and those not far behind them.
Let's raise enough to provide a service dog to a needing Veteran!
Grizzly Bear Golf Cars Carthage Golf Course - MO Southern Missouri Bank (SMB) LiNKS iNK Pinnacle Pet Pawsitive Care Veterinary Clinic

09/01/2025

Andddddddddd.... it's officially live. Check out our "Putts for Paws Charity Scramble" Golf Tourney website. The tournament is on May 9th.
This sight has all the details, sponsor opportunities, and the place to sign up for the tournament. Get in early!

19/12/2024

We love recognizing organizations and people that go out of their way for others. Patrick Tuttle is one of those people. Truly a lighthouse for Joplin who sets the example. Thanks for everything you do for Joplin and the Veterans who live here!

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!!