Our funding comes from public donations, our wonderful Supporters Club members and grants. K9SMD receives no government funding. Donations over $5 are tax deductible because K9SMD is a charity.

Here at K9 SEARCH Medical Detection, we have a small breeding program that we will select puppies from. We will also buy or have donated puppies and dogs from other breeders or rescues.

We also offer the opportunity for some individuals to train their own assistance dog with the guidance and training from our team. Owner training is not an easy path to take, but it will create a strong bond between dog and handler as you learn how to communicate and work as a team. If this is something you might be interested in, send us an email using our contact form.

Becoming an assistance dog is not the only path one of our dogs could take. If they fail to become an assistance dog, they could be placed as a facility dog or skilled companion. If these are not an option, they will go up for adoption to be pets.

There are a few different ways an individual or business can support K9SMD. Helping to spread knowledge and awareness to your community on what these dogs help with and their rights. Individuals and businesses can sign up to our Sponsors Club which for a weekly/ yearly donation helps to fund the training of our dogs and lower the cost for those in need. You can also support us by offering your time, we have a few events that happen throughout the year that we need some extra help with. Please get in touch if you are interested in helping us out in any way.

Anyone with a diagnosed disability living in New Zealand.

Any benefit from incorporating a business, school, or facility that could benefit from incorporating animal assisted interventions into their organisation.

Certification is assurance by K9SMD that our dogs meet local and international standards.

Accreditation is formal recognition that the dog meets K9SMD internal requirements.

Public access means that any staff member, volunteer, or client for a recognised organisation has the right to take a puppy or dog into any public place – including, supermarkets, shopping malls, food outlets, motels or hotels, movie theatres and restaurants. They are also entitled to travel on all forms of public transport.

Yes. K9 SEARCH Medical Detection has been granted authority to certify disability assist dogs by The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA).

Receiving this privilege allows all K9SMD puppies and dogs the right to be in any public space, and those that gain Certification as an Assistance Dog team will have full public access rights and protection under the Human Rights Act 1993 and/or Dog Control Act 1996.

Discrimination against persons relying on or training an Assistance Dog may be considered a breach of the Human Rights Act 1993 and/or Dog Control Act 1996.