What We Do
Our Programs
At Kelly’s K9s, Tails of Courage, we believe every survivor deserves to feel safe, supported, and empowered. Through the unwavering loyalty of a well-trained protection dog, survivors rediscover independence, confidence, and the courage to rebuild their lives.
Our programs are built on the belief that protection is more than physical safety — it’s emotional healing, trust, and strength restored. In partnership with Metro K9 Academy, we provide professionally trained protection dogs and individualized training pathways that transform lives, one partnership at a time.
We proudly offer two pathways to protection:
K9 Placement Program
Through the K9 Placement Program, survivors are matched with a fully trained protection dog — expertly trained by Metro K9 Academy to provide both security and emotional support. Each placement is carefully tailored to meet the survivor’s needs, ensuring the right match between dog and handler. These dogs offer more than safety; they restore peace of mind, confidence, and a renewed sense of freedom. LEARN MORE >
K9 Partner Training Program
The K9 Partner Training Program offers survivors the opportunity to have their own dog evaluated to determine if they have the temperament and qualities needed for protection work. If the dog qualifies, Kelly’s K9s covers the cost of the initial recommended training, empowering survivors to transform the bond they already share with their dog into one of protection and partnership.
Both pathways are grounded in our mission to bring courage, companionship, and hope to survivors of domestic violence.
Together, we help survivors move from fear to freedom — one courageous K9 at a time. LEARN MORE >
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.
K9 Partner Training Program
At Kelly’s K9s, Tails of Courage, we understand that some survivors already share a deep bond with their own dog — one built on trust, comfort, and companionship. The K9 Partner Training Program was created to honor that connection by offering survivors the opportunity to determine whether their dog has the temperament, confidence, and drive to be trained as a personal protection partner.
This program gives survivors a chance to strengthen an already powerful bond — transforming it into one grounded in safety, structure, and empowerment.
Our Process
Survivors bring their dog to Metro K9 Academy, where our head trainer, Robert “Bobby” Gierla, conducts a comprehensive evaluation of both the dog and the handler.
This evaluation includes:
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Temperament and Drive: Assessing stability, confidence, and natural protective instincts.
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Obedience and Control: Evaluating how responsive the dog is to commands and how much control the handler maintains under different conditions.
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Bond and Engagement: Observing how the dog and survivor interact, communicate, and work together as a team.
Every dog — and every survivor — is unique. Not all dogs are suited for protection training. Our trainers are always honest and transparent in their assessments, prioritizing safety and realism above all else.
If our head trainer determines that a dog is a good candidate, Kelly’s K9s covers the cost of the initial recommended training, helping the team begin their journey toward protection work.
Dogs not suited for protection work will not move forward in the program, ensuring that training is always safe, ethical, and appropriate for the dog’s temperament and ability.
Training Together
The K9 Partner Training Program focuses equally on the survivor and the dog. The survivor trains alongside their dog throughout the process, learning proper handling, commands, and safety techniques to build a strong and reliable partnership.
Survivors accepted into the program are expected to:
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Attend training sessions consistently.
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Practice skills between lessons.
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Follow all trainer recommendations and safety guidelines.
This commitment is vital. Consistency and engagement build confidence, discipline, and a lasting bond of trust.
Qualities We Look For
While each dog is different, those suited for protection training often display:
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Confidence: Calm and self-assured in new environments.
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Balanced Temperament: Protective but not aggressive or fearful.
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Trainability: Focused, eager to learn, and responsive to leadership.
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Bond with Owner: Loyal, engaged, and motivated by connection.
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Good Health and Physical Fitness: Capable of sustained training.
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Handler Control: Clear respect for and responsiveness to the owner’s commands.
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Maturity: Generally one year or older, with consistent, predictable behavior.
Even among qualified dogs, the level of protection training possible will vary. Some may excel in alert or deterrent work, while others may reach more advanced protection levels. Our trainers provide realistic guidance and ensure all training remains safe and appropriate.
Our Promise
The K9 Partner Training Program is about partnership, empowerment, and courage. It’s an opportunity for survivors to transform trust into confidence — learning side by side with their dog to build a protective bond rooted in respect and resilience.
Whether a dog becomes a full protection partner or simply grows in protective nature, obedience, and discipline through the process, the outcome is always the same: a survivor who stands taller, stronger, and safer with the loyal companion they love.