New Pup in Training to Join IOWA Service Dogs

Friday will be a big day for an 8-week-old puppy named Doc. He will fly from Texas to Des Moines to join IOWA Service Dogs. Doc will spend the next two years training to become a service dog for a “warrior”—a first responder or veteran affected by psychiatric or mobility issues due to their service to community or country. Along with his volunteer “guardian,” Doc will attend weekly classes to learn basic obedience and service skills that will eventually assist his warrior. He will also go on field trips around the community and outside the state to experience different sights, sounds, smells, and modes of transportation.

IOWA (Inspiring Our Warriors of America) Service Dogs is dedicated to helping first responders and veterans reintegrate into civilian life by providing mobility and psychiatric service dogs at no cost. IOWA incorporated as a nonprofit organization in November 2019 and received its first service dog in training in December. It is the first nonprofit in the state to give free service dogs to first responders.

According to Blue H.E.L.P., 228 law enforcement officers died by suicide in 2019, double the amount who died in the line of duty. “We know service dogs are only part of the solution for these warriors,” said Sara Krzyczowski, IOWA Service Dogs board president. “But they are a small gift we can give to the people who gave so much for our freedom and safety. We have lofty goals for educating the public about the laws and etiquette of a service dog, advocating against the use of fake service dogs, and giving back to our warriors. The encouragement and support from our community has already been overwhelming.”  

Find more information about IOWA Service Dogs at iowaservicedogs.org.