Ella Barchie Dogs have been called “man’s best friend” for a reason. They are emotional support and protection for their owners. Non-profit organization Kelly’s K9s has recognized that and has created a program where these pets can be a friend and support for people who have experienced domestic violence and sexual assault. After her own story with domestic violence occurred in 2019, Kelly Sutliff later found support in her trained protection dog, Stella. From there, she founded Kelly’s K9 to give others the chance to have their own Stella, too. Keep reading to learn more about The Local Girl’s interview with Kelly’s K9s.
The New Jersey Girl: For anyone just learning about Kelly’s K9s, how would you describe the organization’s mission?
Kelly Sutliff: Kelly’s K9s, Tails of Courage is a nonprofit organization that provides professionally trained personal protection dogs to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault at no cost to them. Our organization offers two programs depending on each survivor’s individual needs: our K9 Placement Program and our K9 Partner Training Program. Through our Placement Program, we match survivors with an already trained personal protection dog. The survivor then becomes an active part of the training process, building the relationship, trust, and partnership with their dog before they go home together. Through our Partner Program, survivors who already have their own dog can have their dog evaluated and, if our master trainer (Bobby Gierla, Metro K9 Academy) feels their dog has the qualities needed for a personal protection dog, Kelly’s K9s will pay the initial cost of the training for the survivor and their dog. However, our mission is about so much more than providing a dog. It’s about restoring something abuse takes away: safety, independence, and confidence. These dogs become partners in a survivor’s healing journey. They help survivors move from simply surviving to truly living again. Kelly’s K9s exists because Stella changed my life. After surviving domestic violence, she became my safe place and helped me become the woman I am today. She gave me the courage to rebuild, and eventually that healing turned into a mission to help others. I always say these dogs do more than protect survivors from what could happen. They help heal them from what already did. That is the heart of Kelly’s K9s.
NJG: Kelly’s K9s was born from your own experience as a survivor. When did you realize protection dog training could become something that helped others, too?
KS: After surviving my own domestic violence situation, I struggled with feeling safe again. Even after the physical danger was over, the fear and trauma don’t just disappear. Getting my first protection dog, Stella, changed everything for me. She gave me back pieces of myself I thought I had lost. She helped me walk through the world with confidence again, sleep peacefully again, and rebuild my life. As I healed, I kept thinking about other survivors. I knew the incredible impact Stella had on my life, but I also knew the cost of a fully trained protection dog made it impossible for many survivors to access one. That’s when the idea for Kelly’s K9s began. I wanted to take the thing that helped save me and use it to help others.
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NJG: Protection dogs can sometimes be misunderstood. What do you wish more people knew about the bond, training, and emotional support behind this work?
A lot of people hear “protection dog” and immediately think of aggression, but that is actually the opposite of what these dogs are. A properly trained protection dog is confident, stable, social, and highly obedient. The foundation of everything is the relationship and trust between the dog and their handler.Yes, these dogs are trained to protect if ever needed, but their biggest impact happens in everyday moments. They are lying beside their person at night, going for walks, helping them leave the house again, and allowing survivors to experience life without constantly looking over their shoulder. The most powerful thing about these dogs isn’t just that they can protect you. It’s that they remind survivors there is life after abuse.
NJG You’re based in Morristown and doing this work throughout New Jersey. What has the local response been like so far?
KS: The response has honestly been incredible. What started from my personal story has grown into something much bigger because of this community. Although we are based in New Jersey, our mission extends beyond state lines. We are able to, and have, helped survivors outside of New Jersey as long as they are able to travel here and commit to the required training with their dog. The support we have received locally has been overwhelming. From businesses and organizations to town leaders, donors, and people simply sharing our mission, every person has played a role in helping us continue to grow. Every event, every donation, and every conversation creates awareness and gets us closer to helping another survivor rebuild their life. Kelly’s K9s exist because people believe survivors deserve more than just survival. We deserve the chance to feel safe again.
NJG: For survivors who may still be in the process of finding safety or rebuilding their confidence, what would you want them to know?
KS: I would want them to know that there is life after surviving abuse. When you are in the middle of it, it can feel impossible to imagine a future where you feel safe, happy, or like yourself again. I remember that feeling. But what happened to you does not define you. Your story does not end with what someone else did to you. I’m living proof that healing is possible. The worst chapter of your life does not have to become your whole story. Healing is not always easy and it looks different for everyone, but you can rebuild. You can find yourself again. Sometimes the chapters we never wanted become the reason we discover our purpose.
NJG: How can locals support Kelly’s K9s — whether they attend an open house, spread the word, or get involved in another way?
KS: One of the biggest ways people can support us is by helping spread awareness. Share our story, follow our journey on social media, attend our events, and help us reach the survivors who need to know this resource exists. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on generous donations from our community to fund our programs and continue providing these life changing dogs at no cost to survivors. Each dog requires extensive professional training, and every donation helps us get one step closer to giving another survivor the safety, confidence, and independence they deserve. Every person who supports Kelly’s K9s becomes part of a survivor’s healing journey. You are not just helping us provide a dog. You are helping a survivor get their life back.
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