K9 Partners For Patriots say they are at risk of losing funding this year

BROOKSVILLE, Fla. — A local veteran’s organization is at risk of losing major federal funding at the end of this year. 

K9 Partners For Patriots is among 28 veteran organizations nationwide that are at risk of losing funding through the Wounded Warrior Service Dog Program. Through its work, the organization says it provides mental health support to veterans.

Inside this warehouse, Frank Cohen runs through a few drills with his canine partner Gracie.

“She’s significantly more than a pet because she goes with me everywhere, and some people will call them their partner but she’s a teammate for me,” said Cohen. “She has my back, and I have her back.”

It’s possible due to K9 Partners For Patriots, a nonprofit dedicated to preventing veteran suicide. Dogs are screened to qualify and go through training with veterans. Cohen has been partnered with Gracie since 2023.

“Every dog that’s considered as a prospect for the program goes through the AKC temperament testing that they do here at the facility,” says Cohen. “So she had to go through that first, and she passed it with flying colors.”

But now the organization is at risk of losing critical federal funding. Communications director Gregg Laskoski said it’s money that comes from the Wounded Warrior Service Dog Program.

“We’ve been receiving that funding since 2015,” Laskoski said. “Unfortunately, the funding allocation for fiscal year 2025 has not been disbursed. Congress has stalled on that, and they’re telling us we have an allocation for fiscal year 2026, but that doesn’t get dispersed until maybe August or September.”

Laskoski said that 28 other organizations are at risk of losing their funding as well. Which he said would be a significant loss and could impact the work they’re doing with both vets and their canines.

“It gives them confidence because when they start to see that it’s their work training the dog that becomes their canine partner, that builds their confidence,” said Laskoski. “They see, hey, this is really working, and it pushes them forward, and you can see it in their body language. You can see it in their facial expressions.”

Offering veterans like Cohen a new lease on life.

“This feeling like a deer in the headlights all the time is an exhausting process,” said Cohen. “I don’t feel like that anymore because Gracie watches out for me in ways that I don’t have to. You know, that’s her job, God bless her.”

Laskoski says this particular funding for their organization will expire December 31. Even though money has been approved for 2026, he says those funds won’t be available for 9 to 12 months.