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Academic &  Workforce Pathways 

What We Offer

Redemption Road K9 (RRK9) offers world-class programs designed to develop skilled canine handlers, compassionate therapy teams, and next-generation K9 professionals. Through academic rigor, hands-on training, and operational experience, our pathways prepare students, youth, and professionals to serve communities with skill, integrity, and care.

01

Redemption Road K9 Training Academy

Programs Offered:

  • LED-21® – Law Enforcement Dogs for the 21st Century

  • AAI-21® – Animal-Assisted Intervention for the 21st Century

  • SAR-21® – Search & Rescue for the 21st Century

  • Accredited Decoy Program – In partnership with the accredited Atlanta Decoy School
     

Format: U.S. Department of Labor Registered Pre-Apprenticeship & Apprenticeship
Pathways: Academic and experiential entry into LED-21®, AAI-21®, and SAR-21® through La Sierra University’s Criminal Justice Department

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Focus Areas:

  • Cognitive canine learning & operational deployment

  • Therapy and community-based interventions

  • Ethical service, leadership, and real-world K9 care

  • Decoy handling and canine behavior modification

  • Tactical & humanitarian response readiness
     

Student Story:
"I came to RRK9 with no formal training, and today I deploy with my K9 partner to save lives, educate communities, and mentor the next generation of handlers. The Shepherd’s Code guided every step." — Hiran L.., K9 Handler, K9 Tactical Medic, Veterinary Technician

02

Law Enforcement Dogs for the 21st Century (LED-21®)

Collaboration: La Sierra University Criminal Justice Department • GA-CERT K9 • Elite Trainers

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Focus Areas:

  • Search & rescue, trailing, and detection disciplines

  • Ethical deployment & community engagement

  • Decoy development and defensive tactics

  • Advanced handler certification with live operational experience
     

Impact Metrics:

  • 25 new handlers trained annually

  • 10 students placed in applied internships per year

  • Multiple live deployments for disaster response and investigations

03

Therapy Dog Program – Healing Thru Heeling® (AAI-21®)

Mission: Healing hearts, one paw at a time. RRK9 therapy dogs transform hospitals, schools, courtrooms, shelters, and crisis centers, providing comfort, emotional support, and trauma-informed care.

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Program Overview:
Grounded in the AAI-21® model, Healing Thru Heeling® integrates academic research with compassionate service. Handler-dog teams operate confidently in clinical, educational, and community environments, providing evidence-based interventions. Partnerships with GA-CERT K9 and La Sierra University ensure readiness for emotional and operational deployment.

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Core Components:

  • Trauma-informed handler education

  • Hospital, hospice, & rehabilitation visitation

  • Schools & youth programs

  • Courtroom & justice-involved initiatives

  • Post-disaster & community recovery missions
     

Certification Pathway:

  • AAI-21® Advanced Certification

  • GA-CERT K9 Field Deployment

  • AKC Therapy Dog Recognition
     

Program Curriculum:

  • Basic & Advanced Obedience

  • Socialization & Confidence Building

  • Handler Education & Volunteer Development

  • Ongoing Education & Community Engagement
     

Legacy of Healing:
Every pawprint leaves a lasting impact. Graduates transform spaces with hope, dignity, and joy. True leadership begins with humility; true strength lies in compassion.

04

Search & Rescue for the 21st Century (SAR-21®)

Overview:
SAR-21® develops handlers skilled in advanced scent detection, disaster response, and community recovery. Built from RRK9’s field experience with GA-CERT K9, the program prepares handlers for local and national service.

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Focus Areas:

  • Wilderness & urban search operations

  • Human remains & disaster recovery

  • Inter-agency coordination & deployment readiness

  • Handler mental resilience & post-mission care

05

Public Safety Advancement for the 21st Century (PSA‑21®)

Collaboration: La Sierra University Criminal Justice Department • GA‑CERT K9 • Public‑safety agencies & technology partners

 

Focus Areas:

  • Cross‑sector executive development and leadership for modern public‑safety challenges

  • Interoperability exercises and multi‑agency incident coordination

  • Policy advisories, standards development, and accreditation alignment

  • Technology integration pilots (communications, situational awareness, and K9‑enabled tools)

 

Impact Metrics:

  • 12 executive workshops delivered annually

  • 8 multi‑agency interoperability exercises per year

  • 6 policy advisories or technical briefs produced over 36 months

  • 3 technology pilot programs advancing operational capability and scalable adoption

06

Atlanta Decoy School: Certified Decoy Program

Partnership: University-accredited Atlanta Decoy School

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Highlights:

  • Hands-on decoy work in protection, bite, and law enforcement scenarios

  • Realistic training simulations guided by expert instructors

  • Pathway into operational SAR, LED-21®, and law enforcement deployments

07

Youth Programs & Jobs 4 Juveniles

Focus: Career readiness, personal development, and K9 handling experience for justice-involved youth

Partnerships: U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship Program, La Sierra University Criminal Justice Department

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Program Highlights:

  • Hands-on K9 training and handling

  • Therapy dog, search & rescue, and law enforcement pathways

  • Job readiness skills: resume building, interviews, professional development

  • Community engagement: volunteer work, animal-assisted programs, mentorship
     

Outcomes:

  • RRK9 Youth Handler Certificate

  • AAI-21® Certification

  • Tactical CPR & First Aid for Dogs Certification

  • Access to internships and apprenticeships with RRK9 and partner organizations

07

RRK9 Reiki Healing Program

Mission: Promote physical, emotional, and psychological wellness for working dogs, pets, and handlers

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Offerings:

  • In-person and distance Reiki sessions for 1–4 pets

  • Stress reduction, trauma support, and emotional healing

  • Compatible with veterinary care, prescriptions, and standard therapies
     

Guiding Principles:

  • Mindfulness meditation with animals

  • Compassionate, consent-based touch

  • Viewing animals as spiritual teachers and healers
     

Session Rates:

  • 30 min – 1 Pet

  • 45 min – Up to 2 Pets

  • 60 min – Up to 3 Pets

  • 90 min – Up to 4 Pets

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