2019 Top-Rated Nonprofit

Ranger Service Dog Training Inc.

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Nonprofit Overview

Causes: Animal Services, Animals, Health, Mental Health

Mission: Our Story Ranger service dog training Inc was founded by Ken Cappello in memory of a young combat veteran Stephen Akins. He managed to return from war, but felt overwhelmed due to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. After Stephen’s death, Ken Cappello determined that PTSD – the major killer of our returned troops - has to be stopped. He established IGY6 - an American nonprofit organization that takes dogs from shelters and turns them into service dogs for veterans experiencing PTSD, related to traumatic military experiences. Challenge One in four veterans coming back from war goes through depression, substance abuse and even suicide. At IGY6, we believe that our country owes our heroes a debt of gratitude. In its turn, training animals as service dogs has proven to be really valuable to both vets and shelter dogs.

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This organization's nonprofit status may have been revoked or it may have merged with another organization or ceased operations.

Community Stories

33 Stories from Volunteers, Donors & Supporters

1

Kathy Payton B. Volunteer

Rating: 5

10/11/2019

Amazing charity where not only is a Veteran with PTSD provided with a service dog, but a shelter dog is rescued! Please check them out at https://www.rangerdogtraining.org/

Previous Stories

Volunteer

Rating: 5

06/03/2019

Imagine saving a shelter dog from the pound while providing a Vet with PTSD an amazing service dog free of charge.....this is what Ranger Service Dog Training is all about. The owner is extremely knowledgeable in training these dogs and he himself is a Vet. He understands the perils of PTSD all too well. The group is run strictly on your generous donations.

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Hayward12 Volunteer

Rating: 5

10/10/2019

We love this group. If you are close by, it’s a great cause too volunteer

Sheryl A. Client Served

Rating: 5

08/03/2019

Ranger Dogs introduced my son to his new best friend. Ken trained both of them in a kind, reassuring manner that was no. Invasive and no threatening. The bond between my son and River grew and flourished. What a fantastic establishment and dream!

Sheila B.2 Client Served

Rating: 3

07/05/2019

Ken is nothing less than wonderful. He assisted me and my husband with training a dog we adopted from a shelter. We learned so much about dog training but we also learned how to blend back on with society by way of our service dog, something neither of us was very good at. It has greatly improved our lives and we are forever grateful!

terry1964 General Member of the Public

Rating: 5

07/02/2019

Do not know where to start. This group of people have the biggest heart.They work so hard to help our heroes and help dogs who do not have a home. Two special parts in my heart.

1

swater1972 Client Served

Rating: 5

07/01/2019

I’m so happy I found this group of people . Helping veterans and saving rescue dogs.

armybrother General Member of the Public

Rating: 5

06/02/2019

Thanks for all your hard work and never given up.
Even when times it gets hard.

Previous Stories
2

Client Served

Rating: 5

05/01/2017

I'm so glad I found IGY 6'service dogs. Ken is a person that truly care about us.
After training with Ken and my dog if feel comfortable going out of my Comfort zone . For a long time I was in a very dark place. I did not trust anyone, but with Ken It was different . He was like a father figure . At time he was hard on me . But I know he will always have my back. I can't say how thankful I am.

Love you brother

sbenton1031 Client Served

Rating: 4

06/01/2019

Ken is a wonderful trainer and he has the welfare of the dog as well as their human in his best interest. He taught me and my Navy Retiree exhusband so much about dog training along with given him an outlet and someone he can talk to. PTSD awareness is one of his missions and he is passionate about veterans affairs and animal welfare. It is always a pleasure to speak with him and he is extremely knowledgeable of all aspects of having a service animal so in the event you have any questions he's the one to talk to. Thank you Ken for helping is when we needed you and thanks for allowing us to remain a part of your program!!

Previous Stories
2

Client Served

Rating: 5

08/09/2017

Ken is a wonderful, patient trainer. I have a Pittie that needed a refresher course and to take her public access test. He taught me and my husband who has PTSD how to work with her and now we can work with other Veterans and their dogs. Ken helps a lot of our heroes and he's amazing!

rustypeer Client Served

Rating: 5

06/01/2019

Ranger service dog training inc. is a place that has an outstanding core value structure that is great not only for veterans but as well for the dogs that are trained there. Ken Cappelo the owner of this nonprofit organization is the rock that anchors it. He has the ability to help transform even the most unruly k-9 to the perfect family pet that you can take everywhere you go without the embarrassment.

Previous Stories
1

Volunteer

Rating: 5

04/25/2018

I’m a medical retired veteran and with the help of igy6 and the help of Ken the and opening up to Ken and his dog Zoey has helped me get through some of my roughest days. He has been able to get me to adjust to crowds along the help of Zoey. Before hand I couldn’t do that adjustment without the help of both of them.

Teresa Auth B. Donor

Rating: 5

06/01/2019

What great work Kenneth does. He is so gentle with the dogs and they are so happy with him. he has given of himself so veterans can have a better life at no cost to them Just amazing to me.

Writer Donor

Rating: 5

07/12/2018

This organization does a great job in taking dogs who have been in shelters or lost and providing them a home and training to become a service animal. Then the dog gains a role and a veteran on need of a service dog gets the help they need.

Tammy D. G. General Member of the Public

Rating: 5

07/11/2018

I have no idea where to begin with how wonderful these people (and pups!) truly are! I have watched my best friend go through so much over the years and am now seeing her light shine so beautifully. Brittney didn't believe that she would ever be able to move through her past with the constant triggers and roller coaster of emotions she has/had. Then she was introduced to Pete through Ranger. Wow! To see how much she has grown and how he has been able to help her is truly amazing. Pete is now my "nephew" pooch and even calms me when he sees that I come home stressed. I love that Ranger works with training the service dogs as well as their humans. It is so wonderful to see the love and support of everyone involved. Keep training and stay strong!

1

boomer3 General Member of the Public

Rating: 5

07/10/2018

A dog needing a home and a veteran needing a companion. That is what this group does best. They are so patient with the dogs as they are trained and to them there is no untrainable animal. They care so much about what they are doing, you can see it in their eyes how they twinkle and the grins upon their faces. The dogs are well taken care of.

Previous Stories
3

General Member of the Public

Rating: 5

08/08/2017

Ranger dog training is awesome, I took a young man to visit who has special needs. Mr. Ken was great he took the time to show him all the techniques to train these amazing animals. My individual was so impressed, he stated that this is a wonderful organization, they help our soldiers and the animals. He has not stopped talking about Ranger dog training.

1

pitbullsofwondedsouls Client Served

Rating: 5

05/04/2018

Ken Cappello is a wonderful dog trainer! He helped my dog Honey overcome her lack of confidence and he taught me how to work with her in a way to engage her mind and make her a great service e dog. Love these guys!!!

1

zane-Tropper Client Served

Rating: 5

04/23/2018

I am a vetrin with several disabilities from hearing loss, acute lung problemd and balance problems. A year ago I came out of 4 months hospital stay with sever depresion , movement disorders , could Nanaot walk, could not feed myself, could not remember daily things. I came out of the hospital unable to walk in a wheelchair. I never thought of a service dog. I think it was in September I had progressed to a cane on my own. My family and I went to a festival in Douglasville, Georgia. IGY 6 service dogs for heroes had a booth and the Douglas County Shelter was there also. I stopped and talked to Ken and the others manning the booth. They were sincere Andrew had a passion for there cause. I asked my mental health doctor if I would benefit from a service dog and she said yes. She wrote a letter saying i would benefit from a service dog to give to IGY 6 service dogs for heroes. I was at the douglas County Shelter and saw my battle buddy. He was a German Shepherd puppy. He was around three months old and was listed as a stray. I adopted him and named him Tropper. I registered with IGY 6 and sent in my letter. Today Trooper is a registered Service Dog. Now the hard work starts with the advanced training. Ken is a very sincere person with a drive to get every vetran that needs a service dog by pairing them up with shelter dogs; savings two lives at once. The cost to train a service do g is $38000 and over 2 years. There is no cost to the vetrans. IGY 6 Service Dogs for Heros need sponsers and donations to reach there goals. I have bennifited from Trooper over and over again. I cannot think Ken and GIY 6 enough for the new lease on life they gave Tropper and I.

2

madred General Member of the Public

Rating: 5

04/22/2018

Ken and his organization are wonderful! They truly care about every one they help and what is the best thing of all is that they don’t charge any fee for their services. They are ran by a staff of volunteers who are knowledgeable about PTSD and veterans affairs. No matter who you deal with their you will be treated with respect. They are all animal lovers and seem to have a way with the dogs. They are saving lives...That of a person with PTSD and that of a shelter dog.

3

Brittney S. Client Served

Rating: 5

04/22/2018

This place is doing great things, one person & pooch at a time.
After searching a year for a service dog, I was lucky enough to find an organization that not only would help me dispite my financial status, but avoid the several year waiting list as well.
To say I was relieved is an understatement.
I was paired with the most gentle, sweet guy named Pete just several months ago, but already he has made a positive impact on my life.
My confidence is growing, I'm doing things I would never dream of before.
He has already came to my rescue several times, & I couldn't be more grateful for IGY6.
Without this organization, I would not have the growth and abilities I do now.
If you are in need of a service dog, I highly recommend reaching out to IGY6, even if you just need information, or have questions, Ken is very informative and easy to talk to!

2

Kenneth C.1 Advisor

Rating: 5

04/22/2018

I have been working with this IGY6 service dogs for heroes for the last 3 Years. I love what they are doing to save our veteran and homeless dogs. I have made many new friends for life. We always need new volunteers . Join the team and have fun helping others.

2

4088 Client Served

Rating: 5

08/09/2017

What's left when a soilder is afraid to go to sleep, afraid to wake up and is tortured by what is in between? It's not the fear of dying, we have done that a million times in our heart.
Some of us can't scrub our guilt Away. I was lost. Then one day Dash came into my life; this loud, shedding, slobbering wonderful dog began to be the miracle that saved my life and with every shoe I have to wrestle back, I fall in love more and more. Thanks to Ranger Dog Training, I have my life back.
My undying appreciation for Ken who sent this salvation my way and continues to be my good friend.

2

buster1966 General Member of the Public

Rating: 5

08/07/2017

As a Army Veteran I want to thank the folks at IGY6 for what they are doing. I'm looking forward to work with them.

1

samchanthasone Volunteer

Rating: 5

08/06/2017

Hello,
I do not know where to start. A Organization that helps for veterans and save our four legged friends. I have see first hand or the veteran and the dogs loves have change. I have had the changes to work with the service dogs and how they are trained. I encourage you to have a love for veterans for four-legged friends volunteer . This will be the best experience you have in your life.

1

notchr Volunteer

Rating: 5

05/05/2017

This organization saved my life, without them and the work they do I don't know where I would be.

2

fharris66 Client Served

Rating: 5

05/01/2017

We rescue dogs from shelters and have always trusted Ken to help us acclimate the rescue dog with our own dogs. He has a way with animals that is so natural and he seems to speak their language and understand each personality and how to make the dog relationships work. When we have had an adoptive family interested in a dog we have Ken come and assist with introductions to their dogs and provide advice on continued training. We trust Ken implicitly and now the work he is doing for veterans is a true passion for Ken. We support him and hope you will too. Any donation is helping to restore the life of someone that served our country and now needs us to help them.
So proud of the work you are doing Ken!!

2 awebb

awebb Client Served

Rating: 5

05/01/2017

These guy's are awesome ! They volunteered to help me, to help a veterans service animal,"Emily the lab" after he was unexpectedly hospitalized. Please, support them in anyway that you can, so that they can continue to help more Veterans and their animals.

2 kcappy

kcappy Board Member

Rating: 5

05/01/2017

On July 2 2015 I lost a very special person . He lost his fight with PTSD. Before Stephen passed away, we where working on getting him a service dog. Stephen had a little twinkle in his eye . He was so excited about getting the service dog to help him. But I was to late and lost Stephen.
I said something has to change . For our veterans have to wait to long to get a service dog . I promise Stephen I would do my best to not let this happen again.
As a veteran my self I new I had to do my part to save my military family.

Thank you,
Ken Cappello

2

gjslater Volunteer

Rating: 5

04/27/2017

My wife and I first got involved a few months ago when we adopted our dog from Ranger Dog Training. Ken Cappello is the CEO of IGY6 and also runs Ranger Dog Training. He is an incredible man and what he is doing by saving 2 dogs at once is incredible! Thank you Ken.

2

slaterTH Volunteer

Rating: 5

04/27/2017

IGY6 gave me an opportunity back at life that I didn't before think possible! I became involved after suffering from a head injury myself and learned through the power of working with Ken and the rest of the team what a truly incredible organization this is!

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