Rick Kaplan's Canine Angels is a fantastic organization. He rescues doomed shelter dogs, trains them 24x7 for months on end until they are ready to be paired with the right Veteran. To Cristi C. who complains about Mr. Kaplan's methods, I think you should first show your stats as to how many dogs you have rescued and how many veterans' lives you have changed before critiquing Mr. Kaplan's training methods. He gets results, dogs are saved, veterans regain independence, and he does not harm the animals in his care in the process. Canine Angels is truly deserving of a place on your permanent charity list. read more

We were having behavior issues with our dog (Diesel). He wasn't in a good place. He would lash out at other dogs on our walks and he wouldn't obey pretty much everything we asked of him. My wife was shopping one day and saw Rick (the owner of Canine Angels) playing golf with a pack of dogs off leash following him and obeying better than most people. We reached out to him to see if he could help us with Diesel. He met with us and Diesel and said he could help. It was truly amazing! Though Diesel is not a therapy dog, he is now extremely confident and has turned into the perfect dog. We can't thank Rick enough for the work he has done with Diesel and training us as well. I highly recommend him and his team! read more

This organization donates trained working service dogs to disabled veterans for free. It serves Myrtle Beach and the surrounding areas. The advertisement says that every dollar donated goes directly to the cause because no one at Canine Angels gets paid. Richard Kaplan is the President of Canine Angels. The program sounds awesome in print, but Mr. Kaplan did not give a positive impression when I met him recently at a local fair. He was more interested in getting people to give money to him than in talking to anyone about the program. He even seemed annoyed when I asked questions to the woman that was with him. Mr. Kaplan could definitely work on his social skills. Since he would not spare a few minutes to tell me more about his program, I refused to spare any of my money. There are plenty of other organizations out there that help veterans. read more

I recently had the pleasure of meeting Rick and 9 of his angles at a local fair in OCEAN Isle. Using the dogs as a vehicle to take donations is pure genius! It showcases Rick's ability to train the dogs, and raises the money necessary to provide the services he provides! Even more recently I had the honor of spending time with him and his team in Newtown CT where they provided comfort thousands of people following the horrific event there! If donating a dollar hinges on wether or not you get a warm fuzzy feeling from the trainer seems somewhat ignorant and you should keep your dollar! ! Keep up the good work Rick! read more

I have worked closely with Mr. Kaplan for over five years now. I've explained the correct use of radio activated collars to people I know but there are still those that misunderstand its use. The radio activated collar is multi-functional tool. It has tones, vibrations and a range of impulses. During my initial consultation with CASD, Mr. Kaplan insisted I feel the device on my arm. When Mr. Kaplan put the collar on my arm and went through a range of lower impulses, I did not feel a thing. Anyone that explicitly follows Mr. Kaplan's instructions does not use this device arbitrarily or to teach tasks. The impulse is only used to redirect the dog's attention or if the dog is in imminent danger. Would you rather you dog feel a Level I impulse or die from GHE (gastro hemorrhagic enteritis) from eating duck waste? My service animal's collar has been set on vibrate for years because I distinctly followed Mr. Kaplan's instructions from day one and I still do! What people need to understand is that Mr. Rick Kaplan unequivocally knows his trade forward and backward. However, if a client refuses to listen to his wisdom, buy into his philosophy and follow his instruction to a tee; the blame is on the handler, not on Mr. Kaplan. If Home Depot sells a hammer to a construction worker to build a house and the worker hits someone over the head with the hammer, would you blame Home Depot? Doesn't that sound silly. Mr. Kaplan uses a reward based approach to teach tasks specific to an individual client. The radio activated collar is not a tool to teach tasks. Due to a neuromuscular disorder, my service animal had to be taught to heel to my side without the use of a lead. For the past five years, she has not used a leash and assists me in many ways. When I have trouble walking, I hold on to her or lean on her. When symptoms affect my vision, I depend on her to assist. She even retrieves my medication when she hears a special ring-tone. These tasks, among others were all taught using a reward based modality. You cannot shock a dog into learning a task. Mr. Kaplan is perfectly clear about using rewards to teach service animals different tasks. People are misinformed about so many facets of training, it boggles the mind. I had pet dogs long before I needed the assistance of a service animal. I anthropomorphized my dogs by channeled ridiculous baby voices. I unfairly thought this was just adorable. I was told by Mr. Kaplan to stop that during our initial consultation. I didn't obtain the services of Mr. Kaplan to argue with him. Mr. Kaplan knows more about dog psychology that anyone I've ever known. It was my decision to buy into Mr. Kaplan's philosophy wholehearted, whether I immediately grasped it or not. Mr. Kaplan made it crystal clear that just because we assign human consciousness to animals, doesn't make them think like humans. For example; when a dog faithfully follows its master's orders, we subconsciously assume the dog likes and respects us. The fact remains that the dog is descended from the gray wolf and behaves according to a rigid pecking order. The dog is more than likely seeing its owner as the alpha or the leader of the pack. Once you understand the dynamics, the rest falls right into place. Mr. Kaplan makes this and much more perfectly clear from the initial consult, straight through every level of training. If the individual is unable to integrate this very basic principle into their training; the fault lies with them, not with CASD. I consult Mr. Kaplan regularly and have gotten my money's worth ten times over. He has seen me through emergencies, higher levels of training, questions, issues and much more. With that said, every time I'm admitted to the hospital for a treatment that runs over two-weeks; my service animal stays with CASD, Mr. Kaplan and the pact. I would no sooner expect Mr. Kaplan to keep my dog for two-weeks at no charge than I would a stranger. We are five years past our initial agreement. If I had to board my dog for two full weeks; clearly, I'd have to pay for that service. Why would I, or anyone else, expect to benefit from Mr. Kaplan's services for free? Nowhere in our initial contract, does it say that Mr. Kaplan is responsible for my service animal in perpetuity. To think otherwise is indicative of an entitlement mentality and extremely arrogant on the part of the handler. Among the dozens of favors Mr. Kaplan has done for me, he has also picked my service dog up from a hospital in the middle of the night. I know for a fact that he does the same for all the teams under his tutelage. Mr. Kaplan of CASD can model task after task; however, the ultimate responsibility lies with the handler. Beverly Watrous read more

I also met Rick Kaplan..when he came to my home, told my wife and me about Canine Angels and had me fill out an application for a service dog. You see I'm one of those disabled veterans he helps. I have no use of my rt arm and can only walk with a brace on and a cane. Enter Abbey (my Canine Angel), now I get out in public more. Abbey picks up anything I drop, gives it back to me and if I am unsteady she senses it and leans in to hold me up. My point is, if not for Mr Karlan, not himself a veteran, myself and many others I know would not be enjoying the freedom of being back in the mainstream of society that we fought and bled for and many unwanted dogs in this area would go unloved and unutalized. read more

Canine Angels and in particular Rick Kaplan has saved 2 of our pit bull rescue dogs we took in. I read some of your other reviews and can see that some of the writers do not have a full working knowledge of animal behavior and training techniques. We have had 5 pit bulls over the years and like people they have different personalities. So are keenly aware of there place in the pack while others are ignorant. Very much like people. Rick rescues the dogs from rescue shelters, where the chances of them being euthanized is high, trains them and gives them to veterans who are in need. Rick is a non-profit organization. He sustains himself by donations and services, such as personal training. I know that costs of having 2 dogs. I can not imagine the costs associated with having 10 or more dogs. I go to church and know that I can not go to the weekly service without being asked to give to a building fund, special project fund and such. I still go to church but decide which fund is most important to me. With Rick he tells you upfront what a suggested donation is. You make the decision if it is worth your money to help his cause and your dog. We thought it was and we were right. read more

My husband David is retired Air Force and was wounded in Afganistan. He just received a service dog from Canine Angels and it has changed our lives. Dave is now able to do so many more things independently and is ejoying training with his dog, Diamond every day. I cannot say enough about Rick Kaplan and the work he does with veterans and rescue dog. He works constantly to make sure this organization is always available to veterans like my husband with wonderful dogs like our Diamond. He talks with my husband every other day along with training with him at least every other week to make sure that this connection works for both veteran and dog. Along with this, he goes every weekend to some festival or fair with his pack of up to 10 dogs to educate people and try to raise money for his organization. He is the best of the best and the real deal. read more

Canine Angels recently adopted a big yellow lab from the county shelter. This beautiful dog might have slipped through the 'rescue' cracks as he was extremely strong and difficult to handle, and therefore not highly adoptable. Staff and volunteers at the facility were delighted that Diamond found a home and a purpose with Canine Angels and has begun his journey to service for a disabled veteran. read more

Rick and 9 of his Canine Angels visited Newtown, CT last week to offer comfort to the community in its hours of grief. Many beautiful therapy dogs came with their handlers to do the same, but the 9 service dogs from Canine Angels and Rick were remarkable. Grace and quiet empathy from a pack of dogs in a crowd is something to behold! A wet kiss, soulful eyes, warm muzzles, patient paws, attentive presence - dog therapy from all shape and sizes. These are after all dogs originally rescued from shelters, trained and enlisted for service, yet that day in Newtown was a day of therapy. Thank you to Canine Angels, LLC for generously sharing your time with us. read more