At K9's For Freedom & Independence, we strive to bring people together and create a sense of belonging and connection within our communities. We are a nonprofit organization committed to making a positive impact by:
Beyond their role in crisis response, CIRT K9s contribute to a broader movement emphasizing mental health and emotional care in emergency services. These dogs are often trained in emotional therapy or search and rescue, offering more than practical assistance—they provide an unbreakable bond that strengthens those they serve. As agencies across the nation increasingly prioritize stress management and psychological resilience, CIRT K9s are proving to be an invaluable part of the first responder community.
Moreover, these K9s are not just working behind the scenes. They actively participate in training exercises, workshops, and seminars focused on mental wellness and crisis intervention. Their presence represents the evolving landscape of emergency response—one where mental health is treated with the same level of importance as physical safety.
These dogs are NOT Therapy Dogs, they are well trained Police and Fire K9s that are trained to deploy on scene to a mass casualty event, Officer Involved Shooting, Victim Interview etc. Their Handlers are trained in CISM and in more and more states across the US, they are covered under a PEER Support law and will come with a complete and detailed background check done, and can legally work under HIPPA, CJIS and Privacy Act.
Thank you for joining us in this journey.
