The Founder’s Story:
From Darkness to a New Mission
The K9 Warrior League wasn't built in a boardroom; it was forged through decades of service, unimaginable loss, and a final, life-saving bond between a man and his dog. This is the story of our founder, Don Kreitner.
Service & Sacrifice
Don’s journey began in 1974 when he answered the call to serve, joining the United States Air Force. In 1976, he married his wife, Karen Jarvis, and became a father to her twin daughters, Tracy and Stacie. In 1977, the family grew again with the birth of Don’s daughter, Kelly.
The Air Force took the family across the globe, including a tour in Keflavik, Iceland in 1982, before returning stateside to Carswell Air Force Base in 1983.
The Year the World Changed
1983 was the year that tested the limits of Don’s soul. In a staggering tragedy, Don’s brother, stepsister, and two nieces were killed in a plane crash. On the somber drive back from the funeral, Don noticed something terrifying: a small, blank spot in his vision.
Upon returning to Carswell, the diagnosis was swift and devastating: Histoplasmosis (Detourian Yeruspak) on the macula of his eye. Within just three months, Don went from 20/20 vision to 20/400 in both eyes. He was medically retired from the Air Force with a 100% disability rating.
The loss of his career and his sight took a heavy toll. Don’s weight climbed from 180 lbs to 380 lbs. It was a dark period where Tracy knew she had to step in or she would lose him. Through that intervention and a new mission, Don fought back, bringing his weight down to 260 lbs. Today, he navigates the world seeing fingers at 5 feet, with a resilience that defines the League.
Walking Through the Fire
The years that followed brought trials that would have broken most men. In 1999, Don faced the unthinkable loss of his daughter, Kelly. Decades later, in 2022, his beloved wife, Karen, passed away.
Don found himself in the quiet, heavy shadow of grief and isolation—a "blank spot" that wasn't just in his eyes, but in his life.
A New Mission: The Birth of the League
It was Tracy Jarvis, a lifelong canine expert, who reached into that darkness. She knew Don didn't need to "sit and talk" about his grief; he needed a mission. She brought him into the world of dog training, and that is where he met Chance.
As Don worked with Chance, he realized that the "Invisible Wounds" of war and loss could be healed through the focus, movement, and discipline of canine sports. He saw that if he—a legally blind Veteran—could find purpose on a training field, other Veterans could too.
The K9 Warrior League Today
Don teamed up with Tracy to turn his recovery into a blueprint for others. They developed the 800W Mobility Scooter systems so that physical limitations would never stop a Veteran from competing. They created the Tracy Jarvis K-9 Complex as a "Field Lab" where Veterans aren't patients—they are athletes and apprentices.
Don’s story is proof that even when you lose your sight, you can still find a vision. Today, he stands at the start line of the 100-yard track, helping other warriors find their way out of the darkness and back into the light.
Our Warrior Stories
The Platoon: Stories of Survival, Speed, and Soul
At the K9 Warrior League, we don’t just train dogs; we match spirits.
Every one of the 13 Warriors at the Tracy Jarvis K-9 Complex has a history that mirrors our own. Many were rescues, some were runts, and others were champions looking for a higher purpose. But all of them found their way here to fulfill a singular mission: to ensure that no Veteran or First Responder ever has to walk alone.
These aren't just "success stories"—they are the living foundation of our Field Lab. From our Hall of Fame legends who inspired the "No-Weave" safety mandate to our active Big, Medium, and Small Paws athletes, every dog (and one very special cat) plays a tactical role in our recovery mission.
Whether they are sprinting at full speed alongside an 800W mobility scooter on our 100-yard track or providing quiet comfort in a hospital room, these are the Warriors who lead the way.
Meet the team that proves that with the right mission and the right bond, anyone can find their way back to the start line.
