Canines for Heroes

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Empowering Veterans & First Responders

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October 26, 2025

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Let’s Sit, Stay and Enjoy the Taste of Happiness

June 11th

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Your generous, tax-deductible donation to Canines for Heroes can change the lives of over 1 million injured warriors, caregivers, and family members in the next 10 years. You can help bring independence back to our nation’s most severely wounded veterans.

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Belgium Malimois: Turning On Play

by Sandra LaFlamme | May 11, 2025 | Belgium Malimois, First Responders, Mental Health Awareness Month, Service Animals, Testimonials | 0 Comments

Turning away from the oppression in my life and turning toward play has brought a new freedom. My Canines For Heroes Belgium Malimois Foundation Dog™ is like "Turning On Play". Another way to say "turning on play" could be starting the game, initiation of play, or commencing play. It's the opposite of oppression wrapped in a fur missile of love. I sleep better. I feel better. Early September 2024 marked a turning point in my life, a moment of rekindled hope and healing. It was the time when I...

Our Furry Miracles

by Sandra LaFlamme | May 4, 2025 | Belgium Malimois, Belgium Malinois, Dogs, First Responders, German Shepherd Dog, GSD, NewsRoom, Psychiatric service dogs, Service Animals, Suicide Prevention, Suicide Prevention Month, Testimonials, Veteran | 0 Comments

The Intelligence and Capabilities of the Belgian Malinois: A Furry Miracle In the realm of canine companions, few breeds possess the unparalleled intelligence and capabilities of the Belgian Malinois. Known for their extraordinary ability to process complex commands and their incredible sensory perceptions, these dogs are a marvel of nature. While humans think at an astonishing rate of about 1200 words per minute but only speak at 100-120 words per minute, it's no wonder that a dog breed as...

Run or Walk — Sit, Down, Stay and Enjoy The Power of Happiness!

by Sandra LaFlamme | March 4, 2025 | Belgium Malimois, First Responders, Mental Health Awareness Month, Psychiatric service dogs, Service Animals, Suicide Prevention | 0 Comments

Happy Mental Health Awareness Month! Do you get stuck in our thoughts? Healing from PTSD is reaching towards happiness and contentment. Allowing your brain to reconnect the neurons that help fire positive growth is very important. The opposite of getting stuck in your thoughts. I've found many people of all ages love the benefits of dogs. There is power in this happiness. "Switch on Your Brain: The Key to Peak Happiness, Thinking, and Health" – September 1, 2013 by Caroline Leaf is one of our...

Canines For Heroes: A Lifeline for Veteran First Responders

by Sandra LaFlamme | February 11, 2025 | Belgium Malimois, Belgium Malinois, Dogs, First Responders, German Shepherd Dog, GSD, NewsRoom, Service Animals, Suicide Prevention, Suicide Prevention Month, Testimonials, Veteran | 0 Comments

In a world where heroism often goes unheralded, our veteran first responders—those brave souls who have dedicated their lives to serving and protecting us—deserve recognition and support. As part of my commitment to community involvement, I founded "Canines For Heroes," an organization that provides loyal canine companions to these selfless individuals. This project aims not only to extend gratitude but also to offer therapeutic assistance through the healing power of dogs. I will share the...

This is fun. This is games with your dog. This is brain healing.

by Sandra LaFlamme | February 11, 2025 | Belgium Malimois, Belgium Malinois, First Responders, German Shepherd Dog, GSD, NewsRoom, Service Animals, Suicide Prevention, Suicide Prevention Month, Testimonials, Veteran | 0 Comments

Did you know that working towards mastery in a worthwhile cause can significantly benefit your brain? This concept forms the heart of our Foundation Dog™ program for healing PTSD. By dedicating time and effort to working with these remarkebley trained animals, Veteran First Responders not only contribute to their own healing but also create a profound bond with a living, breathing gift from God. Veterans First Responders start their careers with mastery of basic and build. So do we. The...

Helping Give Back

by Sandra LaFlamme | January 29, 2025 | Belgium Malimois, Belgium Malinois, Dogs, First Responders, German Shepherd Dog, GSD, NewsRoom, Service Animals, Suicide Prevention, Suicide Prevention Month, Testimonials, Veteran | 0 Comments

I loved my work as EMS/ Manatee Firefighter. For me, being a firefighter is one of the most demanding jobs in the world, but also one of the most rewarding. For six years, I proudly served my community, risking my life to save others. However, in 1991, while rescuing a drunken driver, my life took a drastic turn. I suffered several herniated discs and torn loose ligaments from my spine, which left me permanently disabled. It was a tough time for me, but little did I know that my life was about...

Taming PTSD with Canines For Heroes

by Sandra LaFlamme | January 19, 2025 | Belgium Malimois, Belgium Malinois, First Responders, German Shepherd Dog, GSD, NewsRoom, Service Animals, Suicide Prevention, Suicide Prevention Month, Testimonials, Veteran | 0 Comments

When you've spent years on the frontline, whether in combat or as a first responder, you understand the weight of resilience and bravery. However, beneath that courage often lies an unspoken battle—Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This invisible wound can be just as debilitating as any physical injury. But what if there was a companion waiting to help you reclaim your life? Now is the time to tackle PTSD head-on and say goodbye to mental roadblocks and anxiety that happen with this brain...

Vital Healing

by Sandra LaFlamme | January 14, 2025 | Belgium Malimois, First Responders, German Shepherd Dog, Service Animals, Veteran | 0 Comments

Understanding the Vital Role of Service Dogs in Healing PTSD In a world where invisible wounds often go unnoticed, service dogs stand as silent, loyal companions to those battling conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These remarkable animals serve a function far beyond that of a pet; they are akin to medically required equipment — much like a wheelchair for someone with mobility issues. Unfortunately, misconceptions about the profound necessity and unique bond between a...

Transforming Your Life with Your Service Dog

by Sandra LaFlamme | January 10, 2025 | Belgium Malimois, First Responders, Service Animals, Veteran | 0 Comments

Service dogs are not just loyal companions; they are life-transforming partners that open doors to profound personal growth and healing. By cultivating a deeper relationship with your service dog, you embark on a transformative journey that positively impacts every facet of your life. From enhancing emotional resilience to fostering more meaningful connections with others, nurturing this bond is an opportunity to level up in areas you may not have considered before. In this blog post, we will...

A Top Tier Life

by Sandra LaFlamme | December 26, 2024 | Belgium Malimois, First Responders, German Shepherd Dog, Service Animals, Veteran | 0 Comments

Empowering Heroes with Sarasota Canines For Heroes. Apply Here: Welcome to the world of Sarasota Canines For Heroes, where miracles happen every day. Located in sunny Florida, our organization is dedicated to transforming the lives of Veterans First Responders by providing them with expertly trained service dogs. This past year has been nothing short of miraculous, thanks to the tireless efforts of our community and the incredible fundraising achievements...

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Phone & Email

(941) 867-8325
mark@caninesforheroes.org

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IRS Tax ID: 81-2787122
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Charity Number: CH50110

Address

2685 Temple Street
Sarasota, Fl 34239