[May 4, 2019] Since the beginning of the War on Terrorism after the attacks on America, there has been an increase in the number of organizations that fill needs the military cannot handle. One need is post-service veteran needs related to combat injuries. This is where K9 Warriors, Inc. comes in.
Last week I attended a Veterans Administration community outreach near my home. A local college, Atlantic Cape Community College, hosted the event at their Cape May, NJ campus; bringing together a number of groups that support the military veteran to provide a wide range of support services. K9 Warriors was one of them where I met Gabriel “Gabe” Ruiz.1
Mission : K9 Warriors Inc mission is to provide elite K9’s for U.S. Combat Veterans while facilitating their transition.2
K9 Warriors trains “service dogs for combat veterans living with … PTSD, TBI,” and other disabilities resulting from combat. Their trainers are highly skilled with combined military, law enforcement, and government backgrounds. For example, the staff includes licensed social workers, law enforcement K9 trainers, handlers, special operations combat veterans, and others “who specialize in evaluating and indentify[ing] the Warrior Teams best suited for mitigating individual symptoms.”
This is no traditional non-profit organization. They not only provide Warrior Teams but also transition assistance and resources. K9 Warriors currently partners with other charities and corporations that work and assist veterans and the military community. “Tribe of Brotherhood” and proven in combat. Those who lead and work with K9 Warriors live, love, and truly understand what it takes to have the perfect team.
I was impressed with what they do and why I’m highlighting them today. Some people are drawn to leadership roles. Gabe Ruiz is one of them. He is the type of person I would not hesitate to go to war with. There are few like him.
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- Gabe Ruiz is the Director of K9 Warriors Inc, a New Jersey non-profit 501(c)(3).
- http://www.k9warriorsinc.org/about.html
Thanks you all for the kind remarks. Especially Mr. Saterfield for highlighting our organization. If anyone here has any questions feel free to reply.
Gabriel Ruiz
What are some of the charities and organizations they are partnering with to help the veteran? I would think there might be some affinity to “dog pounds” or any place that has dogs that they might be able to use. Thanks.
It looks like the organization is made up of some truly very experienced warriors and police officers who know what they are doing and are willing to give up their time for a great cause. I always wanted to belong to something like this and despite being now pretty old, I’m glad to know that there are still people who are willing to step up and be counted, proud of their nation and its history, and will put their own lives on the line for freedom.
I agree, and great info to boot. Thanks for another informative article.
I live in Melbourne and think we should have something like these K9 Warriors help our boys. Thank you and CHEERS from your cousins across the pond.
I wonder if there are orgs like this elsewhere?
In England, there is the Veterans of War but I don’t know if they do anything with service dogs for the injured.
http://www.veterans-of-war.org/
Great article and thank you Gen Satterfield for letting us know about this non-profit. I live in a rural part of Missouri and we have many combat veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan who are now home that could use this service.
Enjoyed today’s article. I look forward to reading your articles because they are so enlightening. It’s been a while now since you’ve highlighted any organization so I think this one must be particularly special. Thanks.
Read the Iliad by Homer; the ancient Greek epic poem about the Trojan War. If you’ve read it before, read it again. It’s about “brotherhood” in its real sense. This is what K9 Warriors Inc is about.
Good comparison to the Iliad. Set during the Trojan War, the ten-year siege of the city of Troy (Ilium) by a coalition of Greek states, it tells of the battles and events during the weeks of a quarrel between King Agamemnon and the warrior Achilles
The idea of “brotherhood” which is a connection to others that goes far beyond friendship. Brotherhood is a mutual agreement within a group that you will put the welfare of the group above yours. It’s the real love that cannot be explained unless you have been there and experienced it.
This is a New Jersey non-profit organization that has done some great stuff. They have a Facebook page too. I’ve started looking into it a little more. I plan to donate to them. What better way to give back. I’m not a military veteran but I certainly have a lot of respect for all of them.
Great info on a great organization. I never heard of them either but I have new found respect for those who are devoting their free time for such a great cause.
Thanks for letting us know about this important organization that is helping our combat veterans.
The K9 Warrior website is very informative and so I recommend highly that everyone take a tour of it. I also liked the TED video by Sebastian Junger on “Why veterans miss war.” http://www.k9warriorsinc.org/tribe.html
Yes, I too thought the video was exceptionally informative and answered a question I would have never thought of.
Wow, thanks for let us know about K9 Warriors Inc. Great info.