Welcome to Canine Angels!
Our nonprofit rescues dogs from shelters and trains them to become service dogs – accomplished assistance animals that can perform dozens of tasks – for disabled American veterans and first responders. President and founder Rick Kaplan donates all his time and dog training expertise. That’s at least 60 hours during a slow week, if you don’t count round-the-clock dog training.
Founded in 2011, Canine Angels has already teamed more than a dozen veterans with service dogs that are helping them reclaim their independence. Our veterans have experienced relief from PTSD, night terrors, fear of crowds, irritability and anger. They are able to rejoin family activities again, with a little help from their Canine Angels.
The military coin shown here was presented to Rick by a grateful veteran whose Canine Angel, Tomo, has helped ease his PTSD symptoms. As Rick will tell you, freedom is not free. The sacrifices of our military men and women have made every privilege and choice we enjoy possible. It’s a debt we can never fully repay, but Canine Angels intends to help every dog and every veteran we possibly can.
Rick Kaplan relaxes Diamond, a service dog in training.
Photo by Jan Igoe
Fully trained service dogs are valued around $20,000. But our Angels are free to eligible veterans and first responders. They’re all heroes in our book.
Their mission was to keep us free. Ours is to give them the freedom to enjoy life again.
On behalf of all our dogs and veterans, thank you for your support.
Canine Angels founder Rick Kaplan relaxes with his pack of service dogs.
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