Dogs are man’s best friend, and there’s no disputing that, but there are certain dogs that go above and beyond what it means to be a canine. K-9s – police dogs, military dogs, and many other service dogs work tirelessly in their career to protect humans at any cost, but what do we give them in return?
A Risky Career
Dogs working in the aforementioned fields go through intensive training to prepare them for stressful and dangerous situations. Service dogs are at risk of injuries, as well as many chronic conditions and anxiety. However, they do not receive the benefits that humans in similar positions receive. Thankfully, one organization recognizes that these dogs deserve more.
Project K-9 Hero
While many departments should pay for medical bills, once a K-9 is retired, they don’t receive any more care. It’s normally up to the dogs’ handlers to take care of their needs. Thankfully, Project K-9 Hero is an organization that aims to take care of these animals in a way that they truly deserve.
Giving Them The Best
Project K-9 Hero tries their best to ensure that retired K-9 dogs get the best veterinary care, specialized diets, and important medication. This takes the financial burden off of handlers and makes sure that the dogs can live out their golden years in comfort.
Comprehensive Cover
The biggest way that Project K-9 Hero supports retired K-9s is through comprehensive healthcare coverage. As retired K-9s age, they can have many complications from their career. K-9s supported by Project K-9 Hero can get the best surgeries, therapies, and preventative treatments all pro bono.
Nutritional Support
As they age, it is important for retired dogs to receive the best nutrionital support through expensive diets that cater to their exact needs. Dogs that need supplements for their joints or a prescription diet for a medical condition can rest easy knowing that it’ll all be covered.
Helping The Handlers Too
Most K-9s are adopted by their handlers when they retire. This highlights just how strong the bond is between service dogs and their partners. These handlers often face difficult decisions as vet bills can easily get out of hand. Project K-9 has them covered by supporting them financially for whatever their dogs need.
Finding Homes
There are cases where handlers are not able to adopt their K-9 partners once they’ve retired. Their age and history often make it difficult to find them a new home. K-9 knows the value of these dogs and screens potential new adopters, ensuring that the dogs go to the best possible home.
Honoring Them
Project K-9 Hero goes beyond just financial and medical support. They also make sure that the retired K-9s are honored for their service, which often comes with some kind of sacrifice. They raise awareness about the achievements of these dogs and what makes them so special.
Spreading Awareness
Project K-9 Hero stresses the importance of supporting retired K-9 officers and other service dogs. They have a hand in many community events and partner with organizations to get the word out about these heroes and how much they contribute to our safety and national security.
End Of Life Care
When a retired K-9 dog inevitably reaches the end of their life, Project K-9 Hero recognizes that they deserve to go out with the proper dignity. They help out adopters and handlers with hospice care, pallative treatments, and even memorial services, honoring them until the very end.
A Helping Hand
Project K-9 Hero is committed to helping these K-9s above all, and if you’d like to help, they rely heavily on donations. However, there are many ways to support their cause, including volunteer work. They could use any helping hands to ensure that they can help these special dogs.
Supporting Heroes
Any help contributed to Project K-9 Hero will directly go to aiding these amazing animals that shouldn’t be forgotten. By helping them, people can become a part of the ongoing mission to make sure these dogs get the retirement they need.
A Legacy
Project K-9 Hero is making sure that these dogs have a lasting legacy in the hearts and minds of as many people as possible. We can all agree that these K-9s deserve to live out their golden years in comfort, dignity, and the love that they more than deserve.
