As we start our holiday season, I like to look back over our year. We gained new family with graduating eight more service dogs teams, continue to be successful with our Paws for Patriots program at Red Granite Correctional Institution, and are starting new adventures with online learning. 

Our attention is and will always be our veterans. How can we make life easier? How can we help you navigate through your struggles? Those questions may never be fully answered but if we can help one veteran through the darkness, we have been a success. 

I also want to thank all of our corporate and individual donors. You continued support to our mission keeps the torch alive for our veterans. Thank you as well to our community for allowing us to be involved within your events, from motorcycle and UTV rides, to balloon rallies, to golf outings. We appreciate the ability to attend so that others can learn about our organization.

Giving Tuesday this year falls on December 3rd. Please remember our nonprofit and the impact that Patriot K9s of Wisconsin has on our military Veterans.

To our dedicated Board of Directors, PK9 employees, and our Volunteers, I extend my heartfelt gratitude for your invaluable guidance and commitment to Patriot K9s of Wisconsin. Your expertise and unwavering support are the foundation of our successes, and I am deeply appreciative of your contributions to the mission.

Have a great day.

Gillian Waukau

Patriot K9s of Wisconsin

Board President

Patriot K9s staff, graduates, and their family and friends celebrated the graduation the first two of this year's classes, 24-1 and 24-2.

On June 22, Patriot K9s of Wisconsin celebrated the graduation of Class 24-1.

Six teams made up the graduating class. Welcome to new PK9 graduate teams:

Zach A. & Holly

Marc A. & Heimdall

Josh B. & Bailey

Lisa D-J & Ramona

Corey D. & River

Charles G. & Loki



(Photo below.)

On September 14, Patriot K9s graduated two more veteran-K9 teams:

Daniel N. & Benjamin

Erica W. & Copper

Also recognized in 24-2 is Team Mike B. and Shadow, who will complete their service dog training soon.

(Photo below.)

Meet Scarlett, PK9s Ambassador Dog in Training. Scarlett is a two-year-old yellow Labrador Retriever. She currently lives with her puppy raiser, Sharon, and attends regular training to learn the skills a service dog should have. While Scarlett won’t be placed with a veteran, she has an important role in helping staff educate the public on service dog etiquette and what a service can do to assist a disabled individual. She is on track to complete her training this year, and you may see her at events, presentations, or assisting in classes. We’re so excited to welcome this sweet face to our team!

Six members of Patriot K9s attended the 2024 National Service Dogs Conference hosted by the Association of Service Dog Providers for Military Veterans. The conference was held July 14-17 in St. Louis, Missouri. The conference included a two-day seminar by Steven Lindsay on Cynopraxic Training Principles, a mental health first aid workshop, and Pet Tech CPR and first aid certification. 

Photo: from left to right, Terese Barta, Sarah Kasper, Catie Dodson (with Baz), Lan Rethaber, Arnold “Vic” Viljevac, and Sean Dumais. 

A Special Thank You Testimonial from a PK9s Veteran Graduate

"This may also be the appropriate time, a place to thank not only the board of directors and community but the organization itself for your amazing dedication and simple existence. I'm not the only veteran out here that can honestly say that I absolutely owe my mental health to you guys. Thanks to my dog, I've found myself in the unusual position of being calming force to some of those around me. I could not have done that without him. He could not have done that without the training you have provided this partnership. You have kept me alive and kept me sane.

There's no conceivable reason something like PK9s of Wisconsin could exist and flourish as it does except for that board of directors, that community, and that staff. It is as simple and as complex and as unlikely as that. Thank you all - from the bottom of my heart and the depths of my soul.”

Comment from Facebook

On November 3, Patriot K9s Board of Directors hosted a Packer Party Fundraiser at the Arrow Sports Club Grill & Bar in Schofield, WI. A raffle was held that included a pair of Packer tickets to the Packer Saints game in December, a Browning bolt action rifle, a Wrangler pistol, and gift cards. There was also a silent auction, and a basket raffle with over 100 baskets. A big thank you all our donors, attendees, and to the Arrow Sports Club for their support!

In July of 2024, Patriot K9s of Wisconsin and Badger Childcare Cancer Network were selected as charities for Complete Filtration Resources annual fundraiser, Tee Up For A Cause. The event raised proceeds of $105,075. This generous donation was split between the two non profit organizations. Patriot K9s is extremely grateful for the support of this amazing company.

Our bond with CFR was strengthened ever further when our Board Member, Heather Peters, was invited to join the CFR staff at their Marshfield office as they celebrated Bring Your Child to Work Day. Heather and Pepper enjoyed teaching the kids about Service Dog Etiquette and how Service Dogs help our Veterans.

Complete Filtration Resources was founded in 1993 has become a prominent force on the global stage, with offices strategically located in Denmark, Brazil, and the Netherlands, along with their corporate headquarters in Marshfield, WI. They are at the forefront of designing, manufacturing, installing, and supporting cutting-edge process filtration and waste treatment systems worldwide. With a focus on dairy process systems and expertise spanning diverse industries, from food and beverage to industrial applications, they turn challenges into innovative solutions for a cleaner, more efficient future.

Donations we receive help to cover the costs associated with placing a qualified Veteran with their Service Dog. These costs are substantial and include: finding and raising quality puppies, veterinary expenses, food, supplies, and the training of both canine and Veteran. We are very grateful for the generosity of our donors. We have many people and businesses to thank for their donations this past year.

Lani Rethaber – Executive Director

Catie Dodson – Program Training Manager

Arnold (Vic) Viljevac – Veteran Liaison

Susie Arnold – Strategic Business Manager

Sarah Kasper – Trainer/Veteran Coordinator

Sean Dumais – Service Dog Trainer

Terese Barta – Trainer

Andie Jurcoi-Ploeckelman – Trainer

Gillian Waukau – President

Gary Bezucha – Vice President

Robert Kittel – Treasurer 

Diane Durante – Secretary 

Mimi Rethaber

David Holcomb

Ivan Mitchel

Kelly Dahlke

Wendy Nelson

Meghan Bozinski

Cassandra Powell

Heather Peters