Our Process

At Campus K9s, we are committed to more than simply placing dogs in schools; we strive to ensure the success and well-being of every Campus Dogs and the communities they serve. Our comprehensive approach includes meticulous selection and training of each dog, thoughtfully matching them with the right school environment, and providing ongoing support throughout their journey. Every aspect of our program is designed with care to foster a strong and supportive bond between the dog and the school community, resulting in lasting and meaningful impact for students and staff alike.

From Selection to Support:

How Our Campus Dogs Transform Schools

Training the Best of the Best

Our dogs are carefully selected for their genetics, temperament, and suitability for service. Starting as 10-week-old puppies, they undergo 12 to 14 months of specialized training to develop the calm, friendly, and resilient traits needed to thrive in schools.

Finding the Perfect Match

Each Campus Dog is matched to the school that best fits their personality and strengths. We also train the school's handler, ensuring they are prepared to work alongside the dog. Once placed, the dog becomes an essential part of the school community, providing emotional support to students and staff.

Providing Ongoing Support

Our Campus Dogs are always ready to offer comfort and support in times of need, remaining calm in the bustling school environment. We continue to provide guidance to handlers, ensuring the dog’s success and maximizing their impact within the school.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • A Campus Dog is specially bred and trained to provide comfort and support to students and staff in school settings. These dogs face the unique challenge of being handled or hosted by different individuals, requiring them to interpret and adapt to a variety of in-school experiences while maintaining a calm and comforting presence.

  • Our training program, led by experienced trainers, utilizes game-based techniques to ensure each Campus Dog develops the essential skills and behaviors for success in their role. Training includes exposure to a variety of environments, practice in responding appropriately to different situations, and fostering a calm and comforting demeanor. This comprehensive approach helps our dogs thrive in school settings, providing the support that students need.

  • Our dogs are trained at our facility, in the public environment, and in the schools where they will be working. Generally, each dog practices every day and travels 3-5 days/week for an experience outside of our facility.text goes here

  • At Campus K9s, we prioritize readiness, ensuring that each dog is fully prepared before placement. Our Campus Dogs typically reach the appropriate age for placement between 14 to 24 months. Because we emphasize the importance of matching each dog to a suitable school, a dog may be ready for their role but not placed until we find the right environment for them.

  • We prioritize the well-being and effectiveness of our Campus Dog program by carefully matching each dog’s personality and attributes to the school environment that best suits them. Throughout their training, dogs undergo regular assessments of their temperament, trainability, and readiness for their future roles. This rigorous evaluation process ensures that we provide safe, effective, and supportive companions for the students and staff they will serve.

  • Campus K9s acquires purebred puppies from approved Labrador breeders whose breeding practices meet our stringent health and temperament standards. From birth, our breeders follow specific Campus K9s protocols for early socialization and exposure to new experiences. During the critical first 10 weeks, puppies are guided to “learn how to learn,” setting them on the path to success as future Campus Dogs.

  • We select candidates based on a comprehensive understanding of their health history and genetic traits across multiple generations. Since we plan for our Campus Dogs to have a 10-year career in schools, it’s crucial to ensure predictable health and temperament outcomes. While many wonderful rescue dogs exist, they often exhibit more variability than purebred Labradors, which can affect their long-term success in their role.