High Risk Deployments – Secondary Application & Video Submission

Introduction

Spike’s K9 Fund was founded in 2014, to provide active and retired working K9s the support, equipment, and post-retirement care they need and deserve.  

Spike's School was created when there was a growing need for access to quality training without the burden of cost to the handler or department. We believe every K9 handler should have access to the training necessary to perform safely on the job. The goal of our Spike’s School is to educate and improve communication between handler and K9 through top-notch training from exceptional and recognized trainers across the country. Quality training results in increased effectiveness in the workplace and safer handling, protecting everyone involved.

Spike’s K9 Fund was founded by James Hatch, a retired member of the Naval Special Warfare Development Group, and named after his first working K9 “Spike” who was killed in action in 2006. James was a K9 handler on multiple combat deployments.  He and his team regularly relied on the K9’s to preserve their lives. On the night James was wounded in 2009, a K9 named “Remco” saved his life while losing his own. Now James is committed to preserving K9 lives in the same, dedicated way that the K9’s preserved human lives.

This training will be 100% funded by our donors who believe in and support our mission. We want to ensure everyone’s time is valued. Thank you in advance for your commitment to be better, thus making a difference in the K9 community and YOUR community. 

Qualifications: 

To be considered for this course, the applicant (and K9) must be an active and certified member of their department or organization.

The K9 attending this course MUST meet the following requirements. NO EXCEPTIONS:

Basic level leash obedience, a distance 20-25m down interrupted recall, muzzle neutral with obedience and obstacle negotiation in muzzle without reaction. Basic gun fire neutrality is a must. 100% LEO only. Dogs with a history of biting an officer in uniform (biting and holding on) will be a disqualification. 

1. Off leash heeling (in muzzle)

2. Down stay with recall into heel position (in muzzle)

3. Down stay with handler leaving sight of dog with recall into room

4. Down stay in a room with handler in hallway 5 meters from room, recall, stop dog at half distance and give down command

5. Handler places toy in room while dog is with handler, take dog out of room into hallway (toy out of sight), send dog to toy, give down command before reaching the doorway of room with toy in it

Incomplete applications will be discarded without further consideration. 

If you have questions about this course or application, please email casey@spikesk9fund.org

I hereby declare that the details furnished above are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief and I undertake to inform you of any changes therein, immediately.