About Us

OUR Mission

TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONALLY TRAINED SERVICE DOGS TO DISABLED VETERANS AND 1ST RESPONDERS.

PROVIDED AT NO COST TO THE SERVICE MEMBER:

THE DOG & THE DOG’S PROFESSIONAL SERVICE TRAINING

ALL AMENITIES THE DOG NEEDS FOR TRAINING

THE DOG’S CERTIFICATION AND 3 DAY TRAINING PERIOD FOR THE RECIPIENT AND DOG WITH THE PROFESSIONAL TRAINER

SOP

SHEPHERDS FOR SHEEPDOGS INC. SERVES SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN IN TWO UNIQUE WAYS: APPLICANTS CAN APPLY FOR A DOG OR THEY CAN TRAIN THEIR OWN.

CLICK HERE TO RECEIVE A DOG.

CLICK HERE TO HAVE YOUR CURRENT DOG TRAINED.

OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH FORTIFIED K9

SHEPHERDS FOR SHEEPDOGS INC. HAS PARTNERED WITH FORTIFIED K9 JUST OUTSIDE OF MURFREESBORO, TN WHO PRODUCES TOP OF LINE PROFESSIONAL WORKING DOGS. OWNER AND OPERATOR, FORMER K9 OFFICER, STEVE MASSEY SPECIALIZES IN PROTECTION AND DETECTION DOGS WITH BEHAVIORAL EXCELLENCE. PERSONALITIES OF DOGS DEVELOP DIFFERENTLY REGARDLESS OF TRAINING, SOME THRIVE IN TASK-ORIENTED JOBS, OTHERS DEVELOP A GREATER EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND CONNECTION TOWARDS PEOPLE. THE DOGS WITH HIGH TASK DRIVE GET CONTRACTED OUT TO THE GOVERNMENT WHILE THE DOGS WITH HIGHER EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE CAN BECOME EXCELLENT SERVICE ANIMALS. CONVERSELY, APPLICANTS WHO ALREADY HAVE AN ESTABLISHED BOND WITH THEIR OWN DOG CAN BE JUST AS SIGNIFICANT IN THE TRAINING PROCESS AS PUPS REARED BY STEVE.PREVIOUSLY OWNED DOGS ARE EVALUATED FOR HEALTH, BEHAVIORAL, AND COGNITIVE ABILITY TO ESTABLISH THEIR TRAINABILITY. IF A PREVIOUSLY OWNED DOG MEETS THE CORRECT CRITERIA, HE/SHE WILL BE ACCEPTED INTO THE PROGRAM AND TRAINED SPECIFICALLY FOR THIER HANDLERS NEEDS. AS A FORMER FIRST RESPONDER HIMSELF, STEVE RELATES TO THE INCREASING NEED OF SERVICE DOGS FOR SERVICE MEMBERS AND METICULOUSLY SEPARATES HIS LITTERS TO TRAIN SOME FOR GOVERNMENT USE AND SOME FOR PERSONAL USE. HE GRACIOUSLY ALLOWS SHEPHERDS FOR SHEEPDOGS TO BUY HIS SERVICE DOGS FOR A DISCOUNTED RATE AND DONATES HIS TIME WORKING DIRECTLY WITH OUR RECIPIENTS TO PROVIDE 1V1 TRAINING WITH THE RECIPIENT TO HANDLE THEIR DOG APPROPRIATELY. STEVE WILL TRAIN HIS DOGS AND SELECTED DOGS TO DO SPECIFIC TASKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE DISABILITY OF THE APPLICANT. THE DOG, THE TRAINING FOR THE DOG, THE AMENITIES THE DOG NEEDS FOR TRAINING, AND THE 3 DAY TRAINING PERIOD FOR THE THE RECIPIENT AND DOG ARE ALL AT NO COST TO THE VETERAN AND/OR FIRST RESPONDER.

more about Fortified K9

WHAT TO EXPECT

APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED AS EACH STEP OF THE APPLICATION PROCESS IS COMPLETED, AS EACH SUBMISSION DETERMINES ELIGIBILITY. AFTER AN APPLICANT IS SELECTED FOR THE PROGRAM A DATE WILL BE SELECTED FOR THE RECIPIENT TO TRAVEL TO THE TRAINING FACILITY IN TN TO EITHER INTERACT WITH STEVE’S DOGS AND SELECT THE ONE THEY LIKE OR DELIVER THEIR DOG TO STEVE FOR TRAINING.THE 3 DAY TRAINING PERIOD BETWEEN THE RECIPIENT AND DOG WILL OCCUR SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 2-4 MONTHS AFTER THE ORIGINAL VISIT OR DROP OFF. THIS TIME IS BASED ON THE TYPE OF DISABILITY AND SKILLS THE DOG IS REQUIRED TO LEARN.

TRAVEL/LODGING EXPENSES ARE NOT COVERED BY S4S.

REQUIREMENTS TO APPLY

US VETERAN OR FIRST RESPONDER WITH A SERVICE RELATED DISABILITY

SUBMISSION OF S4S APPLICATION, INCLUDING: DD214, DISABILITY RATING FROM THE VA (FOR VETERANS) OR A DIAGNOSED DISABILITY FROM A PHYSICIAN (FOR FIRST RESPONDER), AND 3 REFERENCES (2 PERSONAL, 1 PROFESSIONAL).

SUBMISSION OF BACKGROUND CHECK ($60.00 NON-REFUNDABLE)

FOR APPLICANTS USING THEIR OWN DOGS ONLY:

HEALTH SCREENING FROM LOCAL VET

DOG BEHAVIORAL SCREENING APPOINTMENT (TBD)

MEET OUR BOARD

SHEPHERDS FOR SHEEPDOGS INC WAS CREATED BY A GROUP OF PATRIOTS - SOME VETERANS, SOME LAW ENFORCEMENT - ALL SERVANTS. OUR INDIVIDUAL AND UNIQUE BACKGROUNDS GIVES US EACH EXPERIENCE IN HELPING PEOPLE IN NEED OF HELP, BUT OUR GOD-GIVEN IDENTITIES GIVES US HEARTS AND COMPASSION FOR THOSE WE CAN HELP.

JUST AS A SHEEPDOG PROTECTS THE FLOCK, A SHEPHERD PROVIDES PROVISION, PROTECTION, AND DIRECTION TO THE SHEEPDOG.

At Shepherds for Sheepdogs Inc, our program pairs trained canine shepherds with the human sheepdogs — the veterans, first responders, and protectors — who have stood in the gap between civilians and danger. These individuals have served selflessly, often without recognition, keeping us safe even when we didn’t know we needed it.

But there is another Shepherd — the Good Shepherd — who offers something even greater: Unlimited provision. Ultimate protection. True and lasting peace.

OUR FOUNDATION IS BUILT ON PSALM 23:

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

If you — civilian or hero alike — are seeking to know the Good Shepherd personally, we invite you to reach out through our contact page. We would be honored to walk alongside you on that journey.