Heartland Canines for Veterans

29/08/2024

We are so proud!

JOPLIN, Mo. — A man who once served our country travels to southwest Missouri to officially pair up with his new best friend. Scott Fanelli spent eight years serving his country in the U.S. Air For…

29/08/2024

We are happy to report Elke made it home to Ohio tonight. We heard she's already asking Scott to fire up the flight simulator to get some night and hood hours (our aviation guys will get it!) He had to remind her becoming a pilot is only available in the Senior Service Dog Program!

28/08/2024

We are sooooooo proud. For so many reasons. First to our Veterans. Your service is NOTICED. It's appreciated. You are not alone and the community cares. Here's an example.
Elks Lodge of Webb City 861 Webb City Elks Lodge #861 , another life changing, tug at your heart strings act of kindness from your organization. This group is amazing! As part of the "One of Us" Campaign, they raised $19000 for the training, medical, supplies, ALL of it to change the life of a Veteran. They chose the name Elke, who is a Giant schnauzer to be Scott's service dog. After months in the program, with extensive service training, she is fully prepared to give Scott an opportunity to gain his confidence to reengage society.
Scott, an Air Force Veteran from Ohio, was actually recommended to the program via another amazing partner and advocate for HK9, which is Petland USA . They recognized right away, when he came to them looking for a companion, that he needed more and HK9 and the Elks Lodge helped answer the call for him.
We are so proud to do what we do and work closely with those who share the same mission: improve the quality of life for our Veterans.
Congrats Scott and Elke!!!!

28/08/2024

Another service team, Scott and Elke at the completion of their final test!
Thank you to Tractor Supply Co. In Joplin for providing a safe and welcoming environment for our teams to train. The respect is amazing, thank you!
More pictures to follow from their graduation, but we love supporting those who support us. Please help us in saying thank you!

18/08/2024

Riley the Service Dog got to enjoy some bingo tonight at VFW Post 7630 Webb City, MO American Legion Post 322 Webb City, MO We had a blast and our Executive Director Jimmy Burgess got a win tonight. Who else wins? Our Veterans and our families whom the VFW and American Legion do so much for! These organizations have been able to work together and help team THREE service dog teams in a year... amazing!
They have bingo every Saturday night, great atmosphere good food, come on out and play!

08/08/2024

Psssssttttt.... check this out! Drawing will be held at our Gala on Sep 14th! Get with us to get tickets... at work? We will bring you the tickets!! Pool up with your co workers, compete to get the most tickets... and then enjoy some of the best food available in the 4 states!
Union Station Deli & Event Center

29/07/2024

"And THIS is why"

Thank you to Elks Lodge of Webb City 861 VFW Post 7630 Webb City, MO American Legion Post 322 Webb City, MO and the American Legion Auxiliary for believing in our program, and helping the Veterans in our program.
We all came together Saturday to celebrate the achievements of Nova and her Veteran Jeremy and his family as they successfully completed our program.
When different organizations get together, we can move the proverbial walls of healing. We couldn't be more proud of the effort took to make today, and the path to an amazing future possible.

21/07/2024

Heartland Canines for Veterans had a great night at Veterans Appreciation Night with the Joplin Outlaws . Thank you to the Outlaws organization for having us another year! Year SEVEN almost in the books!

19/07/2024

Houston World Series of Dog Shows
For those of us that understand and respect the process of the proper training involved in preparing a Veteran and their Service Dogs... we'd like to know if this is acceptable to you.
So disappointed that this is a conversation that needs to be brought up when we heard this was allowed at your venue. Because this is NOT OK. Snake oil salesmen like this sets back our mission... not only to properly train NEEDED service dogs for our qualified Veterans, but it MAKES THE CONVERSATIONS MORE DIFFICULT WHEN WE WORK WITH THE PUBLIC.
As STAUNCH supporters of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Veterans, and the Service Dogs that give them an opportunity to reassimilate in public... this deserves a response from you. Though being held in Texas, you are our neighbors, here in Missouri. We also currently have teams that operate in your area and we will do everything in our power to see that their invaluable effort and dedication is not undermined by selfishness and the almighty dollar.
Legislatively, we will not stop pursuing justice, to these THIEVES and those that harbor them, as well as those that look to exploit a service fundamental to the healing of our Veterans.
Feel free to contact us directly or in this thread.
Friends of HK9 and Veterans, please share this post and make "The Service Animal" famous.

19/07/2024

We love introductions! Willow got to meet her future Veteran partner today! Willow will be quite versatile when her training is complete and we are excited to report their progress!! Willow and her Veteran were 💯 sponsored through a team funding effort including Elks Lodge of Webb City 861 VFW Post 7630 Webb City, MO American Legion Post 322 Webb City, MO and the Women's Auxiliary as well.
We are so thankful for community members and organizations that step up and help provide another Veteran with a chance at success and healing!

17/07/2024

We are happy to announce Veterans Appreciation Night with the Joplin Outlaws will have FREE entry for Veterans!
Game Night is this Saturday at 630 at Joe Becker Stadium in Joplin!
Heartland will be doing a demo on the field and showing off a few of our K9 teams!
Come out, enjoy Americans Greatest Pasttime and shake the hands of some Veterans while you are there!

12/07/2024

Nova crushed it today! We would like to thank everyone for supporting Nova and her Veteran! They successfully passed their Service Team Exam today! Nova was a Rockstar! Thank you to Lowe's Home Improvement in Joplin for letting us use your store for the exam.
Her graduation will be held at the Elks Lodge of Webb City 861 on the 27th! The flyer is in the comments section!

11/07/2024

Everyone wish Nova and her Veteran "Good luck" they take their final service test tomorrow! We are sure they'll be up all night studying!

Good luck, Nova and Jeremy!

10/07/2024

Gunther just wanted to say "Hey" and we hope everyone is staying hydrated in this heat!

10/06/2024

1. Riley the Service Dog is always camera friendly.
2. The science is in... service dogs are game changers for Veterans and we are here to help!

JOPLIN, Mo. — Not only can dogs provide unconditional love to owners, they can also save the life of someone that’s been through trauma most of us can’t imagine. They can be man’s…

27/05/2024

Eternally grateful. Never forget.

08/05/2024

Please READ. People are selfish, ignorant and entitled. Keep your PETS at home. Let the Service dogs do their jobs.
We make a promise, to ALL businesses and organizations that want SUPPORT to stop having non-service dogs in your establishment and at the same time, support service dogs, reach out to us. We'd love to help.

13/04/2024

***pics taken a couple days ago***
Ready for day 2 (1) for Bassmaster tomorrow, and double dipping with the KBT-Kayak Bass Team tourney with the The Oklahoma Outlaws and Misty Burgess gets show her chops...on the choppy water! Wish us both some luck as we represent Heartland Canines for Veterans and Squirrel Minnows Fishing ! Also thank you to Bud’s Bait of Joplin Reelist Fishing Co. Knotty Reelz Customs Peterson Outdoors Ministries Union Station Deli & Event Center

04/04/2024

We will be there!

30/03/2024

During the dramatization of the passion of Christ, a puppy can’t understand why they hurt him, but he wanted to come closer to comfort him and let him know that he is not alone.
Faith, or lack of faith, service dogs help heal. ♥️
Happy Easter from Hk9.

23/03/2024

We had a great breakfast this morning hanging out with Elks Lodge of Webb City 861!

23/03/2024

We're so lucky to have such good friends!

21/03/2024

A little training at Lowes in Joplin. Petland USA Elks Lodge of Webb City 861
Vern and Bella, Scott and Elke, and Jimmy and Riley the Service Dog

20/03/2024

And so they meet... Our Veteran Scott flew in all the way from Ohio for his introduction to Elke, our service dog in training that was sponsored by Elks Lodge of Webb City 861 ! We are so excited to make miracles possible... only made possible by such wonderful organizations like the Elks Lodge.
Scott, an Air Force Veteran found our program through Petland USA, and after being accepted in to our program, the real training begins!
Scott will be in town for a week, learning all the ins and outs of being a service dog team leader.
Come by the Elks Lodge 861 on Saturday morning for breakfast, meet the team and help by having a great breakfast with the funds going to the training of our next service dog team!

13/03/2024

We ♥️ our K9 Veterans too!

HAPPY K9 VETERANS DAY! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸Today is a day to reflect on their valor, remember those that have passed, and recognize the tireless efforts of active-duty service dogs.
From the battlefields to search and rescue operations, to assisting law enforcement and being therapy companions, these dogs play an indispensable role.
Today we honor their sacrifices, dedication, and the invaluable services they provide to the country and the communities in which they serve. If you are an active or retired military, police or search & rescue K9 handler please honor your 4-legged partner by posting a photo in the comments.

07/03/2024

HK9 would love to thank the Joplin Outlaws organization for:
1. A lot of great years of baseball.
2. A true dedication to Veterans and the city of Joplin.
3. More years of partnership under new management.
4. Lifetime friends and memories both on and off the field.

I have been fortunate enough to help lead Veteran Appreciation Night for the last 6 years. The Outlaws have always been inviting to us, our teams and other Veterans under Mark Raines leadership and that of their board. With the non-profit Outlaws now under new management, they have graciously presented HK9 with a check to help in the training of future service dogs.
Thank you!

27/02/2024

New rule. You are not allowed to eat until March 23rd so you are really really hungry!
We are so happy to be working with these organizations to help provide the funding for another service dog team!
We will have multiple teams at the event to help answer questions and see REAL service dogs in action. So bring your appetites and you families and join us! Please help by letting those you know about this event!

21/02/2024

We definitely want to share this! Our friends over at Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks wanted to make sure the word got out and we are here to help!!


What: Free Legal Services for Veterans and their families

When This Friday, February 23rd

Were: Fayetteville VA Hospital (VHSO), Building 3 (Auditorium)

Time: 11 am – 2 pm