About Us

True Blue Dogs is a nonprofit dedicated to the development and training of qualified Service Dogs for public access to assist individuals with disabilities. Under the American with Disabilities Act, a service dog is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person in need of assistance. True Blue Dogs service dogs are independently trained to perform tasks to assist those who live with physical and/or psychiatric disabilities; and are gifted to eligible applicants.

Our founder, Kirk Halma, is a Certified Professional Trainer (CPT, IACP-CDT).  Over the past ten years, Kirk has worked with over 1000 handlers and their dogs, specializing in canine behavior, behavior modification, puppy development, canine obedience training, and human education/dog handling.  In addition, he provides a variety of programs to educate the community at large regarding the requirements and proper use of service and therapy dogs in society.  Kirk has been registered through Pet Partners as a therapy handling team with his German Shepherd Dog “Chance” for over nine years; they also serve with the McHenry County (Illinois) Crisis Response Team.

Kathryn Loprino, president
Woodstock, IL

Robert McClurg, vice president
Woodstock, IL

Bruce McConnell, secretary/treasurer
Dixon, IL

Craig Krandel
Woodstock, IL

Christine Learman
Bull Valley, IL

The specific purpose of our corporation is to perform acquisition, development and training of qualified Service Dogs for public access to assist individuals with disabilities according to the American with Disabilities Act of 1990.