K9 Placement Program
At Kelly’s K9s, Tails of Courage, we believe every survivor deserves safety, security, and a loyal protector by their side. Through our K9 Placement Program, survivors of domestic violence are carefully matched with fully trained German Shepherds and Dobermans who provide both protection and peace of mind.
This program is at the core of our mission — offering survivors the opportunity to rebuild their independence with confidence, knowing their dog is trained to stand by them with courage and loyalty.
Our Dogs
Our German Shepherds and Dobermans are naturally devoted and instinctively protective. These breeds form deep bonds with their handlers and defend not through aggression, but through strength, presence, and control. Their loyalty is unwavering, and their primary drive is to keep their loved ones safe.
Each dog in our program undergoes rigorous obedience and protection training, carefully tailored to the specific survivor they’ll be placed with. The matching process begins long before placement — from the moment a breeding is planned, to early puppy evaluations, and ongoing training that continues throughout each dog’s life.
Why German Shepherds and Dobermans?
German Shepherds and Dobermans are genetically predisposed to protect those they love. Intelligent, alert, and deeply loyal, they are driven to serve and connect. These breeds are:
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Highly intelligent and responsive to training.
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Courageous and vigilant, with balanced temperaments.
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Naturally protective yet gentle with trusted family members.
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Proven in protection, police, and service work worldwide.
Their combination of strength, discipline, and emotional connection makes them ideal partners for survivors seeking to regain safety and confidence. At Kelly’s K9s, we focus on their ability to protect with heart — never aggression — ensuring every dog’s loyalty is rooted in love, not fear.
Prepping Our Pups
Our process begins with intentional breeding and early development. Every pairing is selected for temperament, drive, and health — always prioritizing the qualities that make a dog suitable for a survivor: confident, affectionate, balanced, and loyal.
From birth, our puppies are raised with structured socialization, environmental exposure, and play that builds trust and confidence. Over the first months of life, we:
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Assess each puppy’s temperament and behavior.
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Encourage curiosity and resilience through new environments and stimuli.
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Provide constant love, gentle handling, and human interaction.
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Promote play, socialization, and positive motivation.
These experiences create dogs who are not only exceptionally skilled in obedience and protection work, but also loving, playful, and adaptable companions — capable of thriving alongside survivors, families, and other animals.
The Placement Process
Once a dog is fully trained, survivors are carefully matched based on lifestyle, needs, and comfort level. Each survivor begins with introductory handler sessions to learn how to communicate, lead, and maintain the dog’s training.
Survivors accepted into this program are expected to:
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Attend all initial and follow-up handler training sessions.
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Meet ongoing training requirements (link to Training Requirements page).
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Continue consistent practice and reinforcement at home.
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Commit to maintaining the dog’s health, conditioning, and obedience.
This hands-on approach ensures that both survivor and dog form a confident, capable team — one grounded in mutual trust and discipline.
Our Promise
Through the K9 Placement Program, survivors don’t just receive a trained dog — they gain a steadfast partner in protection, courage, and healing.
Every match represents our mission in action: to help survivors move forward with safety, strength, and the unconditional loyalty of a true protector.
We ask applicants to carefully review all information regarding our survivor training requirements.