Celebrating Our 300th Program Member

“After adopting Bond, the one thing that was a worry for me were the associated expenses: His vet bills, prescription dog food, and anxiety medication. I already had three personal dogs and my own K-9,” Sgt. Hailey Calcote said. “Project K9 Hero accepting Bond means more than anyone could know. The financial burden has been lifted and I know that he will always be taken care of. Project K-9 Hero will help carry the legacy of K-9 Cpl. Miranda Wright and K-9 Bond for years to come.”

K-9 Bond is now our 300th Program Member. He comes to us under difficult circumstances. His Handler, K-9 Cpl. Miranda Wright, passed away on August 3, 2024 after a brave fight with cancer.

Born in Lubbock, Texas on March 25, 1977, to Rory and Sharon Thomas, Cpl. Wright's life was one of service, dedication, and love.

She enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1997, marking the start of a lifelong career of public service. Her journey continued in law enforcement and EMS, where she worked tirelessly for over two decades.

The Olney community became her permanent home. For 20 years, she served the citizens of the City of Olney and Young County with unwavering devotion alongside her beloved K-9 companions: K-9 Fox, K-9 Sam, and her final partner, K-9 Bond.

After Cpl. Wright's passing, Bond's care was taken on by her best friend, Sgt. Hailey Calcote, a Patrol and K-9 Supervisor/Handler with the Graham Police Department in Texas.  

"I have been a handler for five years and a Police Officer for ten years. Miranda Wright was my best friend, so we were always training our K-9s together. I came to build a bond with Bond, as I was his decoy for the past few years."

When Cpl. Wright passed, Sgt. Calcote knew she had to step in.

"Miranda always told me that if anything ever happened to her and Bond was retired, that I would get Bond. When Miranda found out about her cancer, Bond was not retired and still had many years of service left. The only thing Miranda asked me to promise was to have Bond at her funeral, so he knew she didn’t abandon him."

Sgt. Calcote followed through with that promise and brought Bond to the viewing and funeral.

"During the funeral, we decided that Bond would have his own part in it. Right after the family entered, I led Bond in. I was extremely nervous and emotional, but through the entire process with Bond up there, all he wanted to do was comfort me. I know he felt all of my emotions running down that leash, but he leaned against my leg and I could just tell he was comforting me. I know Miranda would have been proud of how he did."