K-9 handler classes cost upwards of $3,500, but grants are available.
K-9 handler grants are available to many law enforcement organizations to help train both handlers and dogs for search and rescue teams. These grants are available from companies, the U.S. government and private organizations that have set up grant foundations. K-9 handler training is necessary to teach the dogs obedience and prepare them mentally and physically to search for people in emergency situations and capture criminals.
The K9 LEAP Grant
The K9 LEAP Grant Program offers grants to local law enforcement agencies. The grants are $1,000 to $2,500.00 per K-9, according to the website, and are available on a state-by-state basis. Applications for the grants are available on K9 Working Dogs International's website. There are various training levels for the grants, including basic training, which can cost over $6,000; narcotics and explosives training for K-9s and handlers, which can cost $9,500 and up each.
Edward Byrne Grants
The U.S. Department of Justice offers grants such as the Edward Byrne grant for law enforcement funding, including the purchase K-9 police dogs and training for K-9 handlers. The grant is awarded to combat narcotics crime, domestic violence and gang violence in local neighborhoods. Byrne was a police offer who was killed in 1988 protecting a witness from local drug dealers. Local police departments can receive up to $10,000 in grants, according to the website.
The American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club awards grants to organizations to train K-9s and K-9 handlers for search and rescue teams, according to the website. The organization gave over $340,000 in grants in 2011 and over $3 million in total. More than 100 grants have been awarded to K-9 Search and Rescue (SAR) teams in 36 states. The grants were created as a result of the search and rescue efforts of the K-9s after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States.
The Dogs Against Drugs/Dogs Against Crime (DAD/DAC)
The Dogs Against Drugs/Dogs Against Crime (DAD/DAC) offers grants and training seminars for K-9s and handlers. DAD/DAC provided more than $500,000 in grants for officers to receive the proper training, purchase dogs and the proper equipment for K9s, according to the website. Grants are donated to law enforcement organizations only. An application for a grant can be submitted from the organization's website.
Wal-Mart Grants
Companies such as Wal-Mart also offer grants to law enforcement agencies to obtain the proper K-9 handler training. Bossier City Police Department was awarded a $2,000 grant to fund operations for its K-9 unit through its Local Contribution Program. Those who apply must describe how the funds will help the community. Applications for the grants are located on Wal-Mart's website.
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