WAK-9 Service Dogs

WAK-9 Service Dogs IRS Approved 501(c)(3)
TAX EXEMPT ID #93-4912240

06/13/2025

**Meeting changed to online only! **

We just want to thank the City Council for allowing us to speak tonight at the community grant presentation. It is a hug...
06/04/2025

We just want to thank the City Council for allowing us to speak tonight at the community grant presentation. It is a huge blessing and honor to be able to present and be a part of this community. Buddy did amazing while he sat in on the meeting as well. Now that the scary part of presenting is over, we leave the rest in God’s hands. Meanwhile, we will be out testing Buddy’s training while our kids play soccer for the evening. ❤️❤️

This was our presentation. Presented by Karin O’Daniel.

“Good afternoon, Council members, Mayor!

Thank you so much for allowing me the time to speak with you today. We represent WAK-9 Service Dogs, a nonprofit dedicated to raising and training high-quality service dogs that transform lives through companionship, task support, and emotional connection.

I want to begin with a simple truth: dog training isn’t just a summer job. It isn’t a weekend hobby or a quick certification. Training a reliable, confident, and capable service dog takes years of consistency, specialized care, and the right environment. And that’s exactly why I’m here today.

Last year, we were grateful to receive a community grant of $1,000. With that funding, we began raising and training a dog named Buddy—and he’s here with us today.

Buddy is more than just a happy face and a wagging tail. He represents what’s possible when a community believes in potential. Over the past year, our team has poured knowledge, patience, and structure into Buddy’s development. Watching him grow has confirmed something we already believed: to build dogs like Buddy—to guarantee placement, reliability, and life-changing outcomes—we must invest in more than just training. We must build the right environment.

Through our work with Buddy, we’ve identified key limitations in our current setup. Simply put, we’ve outgrown our space. Our team is working tirelessly, but to train more dogs effectively, and to place them confidently in homes where they’re needed most, we need a facility that matches the scale of our mission.

We’re seeking funds to expand that facility—to build additional kennel space, controlled training environments, and enrichment areas that mirror the real-world scenarios these dogs will one day navigate. The goal isn’t just about housing more dogs. It’s about giving each dog the consistent structure and exposure they need to succeed—not just in training, but in life as a service partner.

Every dog we place changes a life. And behind each one is a village of supporters who believed in the process. When you invest in WAK-9, you’re not just investing in our building. You’re investing in independence, confidence, and hope—for veterans, for individuals with disabilities, and for families in need of support they can count on.

Buddy has shown us what’s possible. Now we want to multiply that success—and we can’t do it without you.

Thank you for your time, your trust, and your belief in what we do at WAK-9 Service Dogs.”

Axol (previously Anubis) has found his furever home!! Congrats, Noonan Family!
06/01/2025

Axol (previously Anubis) has found his furever home!! Congrats, Noonan Family!

It’s important to know how to legally screen service dogs and since there’s no official certification, it comes down to ...
05/27/2025

It’s important to know how to legally screen service dogs and since there’s no official certification, it comes down to asking the right questions.

Our new grooming table has arrived! This grooming table will NOT be used for a groomer. The purpose of this will be to e...
05/20/2025

Our new grooming table has arrived! This grooming table will NOT be used for a groomer. The purpose of this will be to educate clients on cooperative care for their dogs as well as creation of online seminars for this purpose. As trainers, we have had a lot of dogs recently who need coaching on this topic. A dog who goes to the groomer and does not know cooperative care can create several issues:

1) Cause your groomer to go over time if the dog is biting/chewing/howling and is a difficult groom as a result.

2) Result in a groom you don’t like. If your groomer is taking time to manage your dog’s behaviors rather than focus on the groom cut you want, the result is probably going to be what was feasible.

3) More stress for your dog. It’s kind of like first day of a new job jitters! If you don’t know the environment, the tasks, or what’s expected of you, you may be nervous, jittery, anxious, or even a touch upset. Dogs are like this too. They have no idea what to expect.

4) More cost to you. If you want a certain groom, and your dog is anxious/stressed/biting, then your dog will take more time and will incur more cost.

5) You may be declined future services from your groomer. Not all groomers have the time, desire, or abilities to care for anxious/aggressive/biting dogs.

**At the end of the day, it is the pet owner’s responsibility to ensure their dog can manage grooming. ESPECIALLY if your dog is long haired. A poorly behaved dog with long hair could result in denial of services, and this will increase the likelihood your dog has to get shaved down by the vet instead if severely matted. We’ve seen this happen frequently. **

Stay tuned for more videos and video class series available on demand!! Coming soon!!

Also, Buddy is showing everyone that he knows how to get on the groomer’s table. He was very excited!! 😂😂

Buddy is just the prettiest boy. ❤️❤️ We love this SDIT! He’s gonna be amazing!!
05/18/2025

Buddy is just the prettiest boy. ❤️❤️ We love this SDIT! He’s gonna be amazing!!

Service Dogs, ESAs, and Therapy Dogs each have different rights. Service Dogs are protected under the ADA and can go nea...
05/08/2025

Service Dogs, ESAs, and Therapy Dogs each have different rights. Service Dogs are protected under the ADA and can go nearly anywhere with their handler. ESAs and Therapy Dogs are not protected under the ADA and are only allowed in specific settings.

Understanding the difference helps protect the rights of disabled individuals and ensures all working dogs are respected for their roles.

05/06/2025

May Service Dog Meeting
(Online only)
Thursday, May 8 · 6:30–7:30 PM
Google Meet joining info
Video call link:

The art of doing nothing… a required skill for a well-trained service dog. Buddy is yet again out at soccer practice. We...
04/23/2025

The art of doing nothing… a required skill for a well-trained service dog. Buddy is yet again out at soccer practice. We are here eating a prepacked dinner and working on our phones after business hours. Meanwhile, Buddy and Dipstick must continue to stay in position without any movement towards people, smells, food, and objects. To be in service work, a dog must be able to maintain their cool while their owner is doing the mundane: going to restaurants, having fun with friends, or going to work. This allows the handler to participate in these activities as if the dog isn’t even there and continue to enjoy the things they need to and want to do in life. The service dog is there to provide the need when it arises, not to be a distraction to others around them. And so, we learn to be still.

Buddy says: “Happy Easter!”
04/20/2025

Buddy says: “Happy Easter!”

Address

1323 NE Brown Drive
Chennai, AZ
97741

Telephone

+19286996905

Website

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