Our Founding Story
Why We Started Working Dog Initiative
A department should not have to give up a K9 program because it cannot afford a dog. A young person should not have to discover their potential alone, and a K9 team should not have to go without the skilled support it needs to stay prepared.
Co-founders Markus Galmore and Jeremy Sebree saw these needs and believed one mission could address them together. Agencies need greater access to K9 resources. Underserved youth need mentorship, hands-on opportunities, and a chance to explore new paths for their future. Young people and officers need opportunities to build trust where negative experiences have created distance. K9 teams need consistent, high-quality training.
That is why we started Working Dog Initiative.
Our K9 Placement Program works to provide trained police K9s to agencies at no cost. Youth Criminal Diversion brings young people and officers together through mentorship and hands-on work with dogs, helping bridge the gap one relationship at a time. K9 Team Development provides handlers and their dogs with ongoing training to strengthen their work in the field.
These are three programs with one purpose: to invest in people and partnerships that make communities stronger. With the support of donors, sponsors, and community partners, we can put opportunity within reach for young people and vital resources within reach for the K9 teams that serve our communities.
Leadership
The people behind WDI
Accountability
Your support deserves clear answers.
Working Dog Initiative is a Missouri 501(c)(3) nonprofit. We will share public filings and program reports here as they become available. Questions about how gifts are used are always welcome.