Who are WE?

Guardian K9 Foundation exists to serve a vital, underserved group: firefighters and paramedics who face extraordinary trauma in the line of duty.

While many nonprofits provide service dogs to military veterans, children, and law enforcement officers, few—if any—focus exclusively on first responders in fire and EMS. These heroes routinely confront life-threatening emergencies, witness profound suffering, and carry the invisible burden of repeated exposure to death, injury, and crisis. Research shows PTSD rates among firefighters and paramedics can reach 30% or higher, contributing to elevated rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide—often outpacing line-of-duty deaths.

Traditional mental health support rarely includes one of the most effective, evidence-based interventions: a trained PTSD service dog. These dogs are proven to:

- Reduce hypervigilance and PTSD symptoms

- Interrupt panic attacks and flashbacks with deep pressure therapy

- Provide grounding and emotional stability during high-stress moments

- Disrupt night terrors and improve sleep quality

- Restore independence, confidence, and overall quality of life

The challenge? A professionally trained PTSD service dog costs $25,000–$40,000, making them financially out of reach for most first responders.

Guardian K9 Foundation closes this critical gap. We train and donate highly capable service dogs at no cost to qualifying firefighters and paramedics across the United States. Our dogs are purpose-bred and meticulously prepared for PTSD support, anxiety reduction, mobility assistance, and night terror intervention—delivering loyal companions that help heroes heal and thrive long after the emergency ends.

Founded by retired Chehalis Fire Captain Robert E. Gebhart after 40 years on the front lines, and Cynologist Bart de Gols and led by a team of experts, trainers, and veterinary professionals, we are building a dedicated facility in Washington state to scale this life-saving work and ensure no first responder has to face their trauma alone.

Meet Our Board of Directors & Leadership Team Here

Interested in partnering, donating, applying for a dog, or learning more? We'd love to hear from you. Fill out the form below and we’ll be in touch shortly.