Nonprofits Create Community is NIA’s theme for 2026, as we celebrate the ways that nonprofits come through for their communities in spite of all the challenges facing them. In this series, meet some NIA-insured nonprofits who share their stories of creating community in their own words.
Meet Faithfully K9 Service Dogs of Conifer, CO
Cathy Kowalski, Vice President of Faithfully K9 Service Dogs explains:
“The mission of Faithfully K9 Service Dogs is to empower veterans, first responders, and individuals with disabilities by teaching them to train their own dogs to become service dogs or skilled companions.”
How does your nonprofit and your mission create community for the people and places you serve?
Fostering human-animal partnerships and supportive peer networks.
“Faithfully K9 Service Dogs creates community by empowering veterans, first responders, and individuals with disabilities to train their own dogs to become service dogs.
This unique model builds confidence, independence, and a sense of accomplishment as participants take an active role in their dog’s training.
Through weekly classes, peer support, and shared experiences, participants develop meaningful connections with others facing similar challenges.
As their service dogs help mitigate disabilities and increase independence, participants are better able to engage in community activities, strengthen relationships, volunteer, work, and become active members of their communities.
By fostering both human-animal partnerships and supportive peer networks, Faithfully K9 helps create a stronger, more connected community for the people we serve.”
What are your nonprofit’s biggest challenges or obstacles to creating community?
Ongoing need to secure donations and grants to meet growing demand.
“One of Faithfully K9 Service Dogs’ biggest challenges to creating community is limited funding and resources.
As a small nonprofit providing cost-free service dog training to veterans, first responders, and discounted rates for civilians with disabilities, we must continually secure donations and grants to meet the growing demand for our services.
Many of the people we serve face barriers such as PTSD, anxiety, mobility limitations, transportation challenges, and social isolation, which can make participating in community activities difficult.
We work to overcome these obstacles by creating a welcoming, supportive environment where participants can build confidence, develop relationships, and reconnect with their communities through the service dog training process.
Additional funding would allow us to expand outreach, increase accessibility, and serve more individuals who are seeking both greater independence and a sense of belonging.”
