K9 Care Montana Applications

We are currently only accepting applications from potential recipients who  live in Montana, and we do not provide or train medical alert service dogs. Since K9CM provides their service dogs and programs to the recipient at no cost, we receive numerous applications. Because of the increased volume, we are unable to respond to each one individually. ​If you are selected for the program we will contact you. We currently have an approximate two year waiting period for new recipients.

All applications must be accompanied by proof of disability documentation from a VA or civilian doctor to include a letter of diagnosis, VA disability rating letter and a copy of your DD-214 (veteran applications).
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Applications and supporting documentation should be scanned and emailed to  judyk9cm@gmail.com with "Service Dog Application" as the subject.

Incomplete applications will not be reviewed for consideration.

K9CM Application and Training Process

We often receive questions on “How do we get a puppy and what is the process like”? Here is the complete process for the K9CM Program. PLEASE Keep in mind that we only have a limited number of dogs available each year due to the fact we are a volunteer-based organization and have a limited number of trainers. Also, we DO NOT train medical alert service dogs.

The training duration for a psychiatric service dog takes approximately 18 months while the training for a mobility service dog takes approximately 3 years. 

Step 1:

First the recipient and recipient’s family need to decide if a Service Dog is right for them. Look at the benefits, responsibilities and ADA Laws to decide if a Service Dog would be a benefit to you!

Step 2:

Fill out and email a K9CM Service Dog Application. Please fill in as much as possible, The more information we have the better as it allows us to make a more informed decision. ***All applications must be accompanied by proof of disability documentation from a

VA or civilian doctor to include a letter of diagnosis, VA disability rating letter and a copy of your DD-214 (veteran applications).*** 

Applications should be emailed to: judyk9cm@gmail.com. Include *Service Dog Application* as the subject line. 

Step 3:

Our review board will consider each individual application and determine whether they think the individual would benefit from a service dog and what tasks the dog would need to complete to help the individual. Review board meets twice a year:  end of first and

last quarter of the calendar year.

Step 4:

If you are chosen to move further in the application process, you will be contacted to schedule a phone interview with the founder/head trainer. If you do not receive a response within 90 days of submitting application, please email your concern dogmanofmontana@yahoo.com.

Step 5:

If phone interview goes well, you will then be asked for a face-to-face meeting for us to explain the process and make a final decision. If you do not make this step, you will be notified after the phone interview.

Step 6:

Once you are chosen to be a recipient, you will receive a high-quality puppy from K9CM that you will foster, work on basic obedience and build a bond for approximately 3-6 months. After that bonding period, the puppy will return to K9CM and the trainers

for its first phase of training which will last between 3 and 5 months. At that time the puppy will transition from trainer to recipient for reinforcement so the recipient can get comfortable with the commands.

Step 7:

After spending a few months reinforcing the training and getting the recipient comfortable with the commands the puppy will then return for an additional phase of 3-6 months of training. This process will continue with the 3-6 on, 3 off for as long as needed for the dog to be fully competent in all tasks mitigating the recipient’s disability. At the end, the dog will complete a full trainer to handler transition which requires your presence up to 1 week.

Each dog must pass a Canine Good Citizen (CGC), TSA airport training as well as a K9CM Public Access Test before they graduate.

Step 8:

All of our SD teams require 1 year follow up visits/check ins . Any training needs of the SD team in the future will be taken care of on a one-on-one basis. We look at all our  recipients as family and want to make sure that they are fully taken care of and that the SD and performance is the highest quality possible.  Please remember, there is an annual required check-in with the SD team for the life of the service dog. K9 Care Montana covers all training, goods and general vet costs while the SD is in training. The recipient’s family is not required to pay K9CM a penny for our services. If you feel you (recipient) can uphold to all these requirements then you may be a great fit for K9 Care Montana.

We always invite people to Contact Us if there are any further questions.

Blessings and thank you!

~Team K9 Care