We had the good fortune of connecting with John Anthony Shahor and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi John Anthony, what inspires you?
Redemption Road K9 (RRK9) is a top-rated working dog company, a working dog co-op retailer, and cynology center focusing on Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAI) with the goal of creating and developing goal-oriented and structured interventions that intentionally incorporate animals in health, education, and human service for the purpose of therapeutic gains and improved health and wellness.

RRK9 exists to inspire and empower people to become the best version of themselves through dog companionship. We do this by providing top-quality training, gear, apparel, expert advice, education, rental equipment, and inspiring stories about people and dogs. Similarly, we teach pet parents effective leadership and communication skills that bring the best out of themselves and their dogs for a lifetime of outdoor adventure and pet ownership.

What should our readers know about your business?
At its 2021 Midyear Meeting, the American Bar Association House of Delegates approved Resolution 101A, which urged all jurisdictions to permit a specially trained canine to accompany an anxious or traumatized individual who is testifying in court¹.

Redemption Road K9 (RRK9) has committed itself to being an asset to its community by training and certifying dogs through its K9 Courtroom Advocates Program. A K9 Courtroom Advocate is a dog that accompanies a witness who is testifying in court proceedings. Credentialed, vaccinated, and insured, all of our K9 Courtroom Advocates are graduates of our assistance dog program. Such dogs assist crime victims, witnesses and others during the investigation and prosecution of crimes, as well as during other legal proceedings. K9 Courtroom Advocates also provide assistance to Drug Court and Mental Health Court participants during their recovery from drugs, alcohol, mental illness and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Our K9 Courtroom Advocates Duties Are:

– Greeting children and parents who have come into a child advocacy center to initiate investigation of child sexual abuse
– Accompanying a child (age 4 – 17) during a forensic interview, where the child explains to a trained interviewer the details of an incident of sexual abuse or a crime of violence
– Accompanying a child during the various phases of the investigation and prosecution of crime, including a defense interview, a competency hearing, and a courtroom trial
– Greeting members of the public throughout the courthouse
– Attending drug court, mental health court, and other restorative justice proceedings to help calm people with disabilities and individuals in drug withdrawal
– Accompanying vulnerable adult crime victims, including rape victims, developmentally delayed adults, and the elderly during court proceedings
– Providing emotional comfort to family members of homicide victims during the trial and sentencing of the offender
– Providing a sense of normalcy during juvenile and family court proceedings

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
After picking up my best friend from Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, our first stop would be at Virgil’s Gullah Kitchen & Bar to try their she-crab soup, Gullah egg rolls stuffed with red rice and cabbage with a side of greens; and the brownie-based Chucktown Chewie sundae for dessert. From there, our next stop would be the Georgia Aquarium for the whale shark feeding at 10AM. After checking out the sharks, we would stroll over to the World of Coca-Cola for a VIP tour. After completing a tour of Coca-Cola, we would head over to the 90-Minute Narrated Sightseeing Trolley Tour in Atlanta to get familiar with Atlanta, including the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site and the Georgia State Capitol. Our next destination is Che Butter Jonez for lunch where we would have the lumpia and garlic noodles topped with steak.

After lunch, we would head to a 3-Hour Private Atlanta MCU Comic Book Inspired Film Locations Sightseeing Tour to check out some of the Marvel franchise blockbusters locations. After our tour, we would head to Conyers, GA to go to one of my favorite local spots there, Celtic Tavern, to try a few local beers on tap and their amazing fish and chips.

We end our day at Truist Park to watch an Atlanta Braves night game. This will cap off our day of excitement in Atlanta, GA!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I start every morning with 3 minutes and 30 seconds of gratitude. I spend that time mentally and verbally recognizing that which I am most grateful for. I think it’s important to give ourselves a few moments of contemplation in veneration of the miracles that are support, mentorship, love and encouragement in our lives. While the number of people who have inspired and supported us along our journey have been numerous, I’d like to take this opportunity to recognize a person and a company we use as a source of inspiration every single day. Whistle Labs Inc. is a subsidiary of Mars Petcare headquartered in San Francisco, California. This amazing company produces and markets the Whistle GPS Pet Tracker, a device we use on our pet’s collars that monitors daily activity and location. Whistle has created a technology that has personalized pet health monitoring, giving us a more comprehensive picture of our pet’s overall health. Whistle is on a mission to improve the lives of pets by empowering the people who love them. Their efforts to combine pet science and technology have been helping owners care for their pets all over the world.

At Redemption Road K9 (RRK9), we believe dogs are mankind’s true link to happiness and make life more fulfilling. We believe all dogs are working dogs and that it is our responsibility to enhance the human experience by awakening a lifelong love for dogs. We also see it as our responsibility to help pet parents become the best version of themselves by providing top-quality training, gear, apparel, expert advice, education, rental equipment, and inspiring stories (about dog companionship) to our members and the community.

Redemption Road K9 (RRK9) has committed itself to being an asset to its community by training and certifying dogs through its K9 Courtroom Advocates Program. A K9 Courtroom Advocate is a dog that accompanies a witness who is testifying in court proceedings. Credentialed, vaccinated, and insured, all of our K9 Courtroom Advocates are graduates of our assistance dog program. Such dogs assist crime victims, witnesses and others during the investigation and prosecution of crimes, as well as during other legal proceedings. K9 Courtroom Advocates also provide assistance to Drug Court and Mental Health Court participants during their recovery from drugs, alcohol, mental illness and post-traumatic stress disorder. We now use Whistle to analyze the data collected from the application to help tailor our training programs for all of the Medical Service, Therapy, Emotional Support and K9 Courtoom Advocates in our program. Whistle is an incredible company that definitely deserves a shout out so “Shout Out” to Whistle for all of their innovation.

Website: www.redemptionroadk9.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redemptionroadk9

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnanthonyrrk9/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Johnedogs

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/redemptionroadk9

Youtube: https://www.yelp.com/biz/redemption-road-k9-atlanta

Other: We Are: – COVID-19 SAFETY COMPLIANCE CERTIFIED – Licensed, Certified & Insured – Fully LIMA-Compliant (least intrusive, minimally aversive) with the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT) – Located on 12 beautifully secluded acres less than 25 minutes outside of Atlanta – Facility includes the LUXOR K9LOSIUM & the Ludus Redemptionis Indoor Training – – – Equipped with a state-of-the-art training facility – Equipped with a 24-hour on-site Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) – Deaf Friendly – LGBTQIA Friendly – Military Friendly – Low-income Options Available RRK9 Facility Profile: – Licensed, Certified & Insured – Located on 12 beautifully secluded acres less than 25 minutes outside of Atlanta – Facility includes the LUXOR K9LOSIUM & the Ludus Redemptionis Indoor Training Facility complete with an agility course, sandpit, confidence cage, agitation tables, along with shaded tie-outs and misters to help keep dogs cool when it gets hot. – Equipped with a state-of-the-art training facility – Equipped with a 24-hour on-site Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) – Reiki & natural home remedy certified to help ensure your dog is safe, comfortable and relaxed!

Image Credits
Photo Credit: A+E Networks Redimere Media Redemption Road K9 – A Working Dog Company

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