K-9 Rip

Program Member #161

It is with an extremely heavy  that we share in the passing of Project K-9 Hero Program Member #161, K-9 Rip.

Please take a moment to read this passage from Amanda Bolyard, who did an amazing job caring for him during his four years of retirement from the ATF Special Response Team Three:

“Losing you hurts more than I ever imagined. I was fortunate enough to receive Retired K9 Rip, Project K-9 Hero member #161, the day he retired and we were blessed with just over four years together. Before coming home to me, Rip honorably served as part of ATF SRT Team 3, completing more than 300 high-risk missions nationwide alongside his handler. I am deeply grateful to his handler for trusting me with Rip and allowing me the opportunity to care for him in his retirement. I was the lucky one who got to serve him—an honor I will never take lightly.

There is something incredibly special—almost sacred—about caring for a senior dog. To be entrusted with their final chapter, to slow down alongside them, and to meet them where they are takes patience, humility, and love. It was my honor to care for Rip and to love such a strong, stoic dog, and to watch him soften, even if only slightly, with age.

He became my sidekick, my constant presence, and I can’t imagine my life without having had the opportunity to love him for those years and beyond. Our bond was unique and different. It took time for us to truly find our way together, but once we did, he was my loyal friend through and through.

Rip left this world with a strong and steady mind—sharp teeth, a strong bite, and not missing a thing … especially a treat. His final day was filled with all his favorites: a full belly of steak, cheeseburgers, French fries, and Oreos for dessert. It wasn’t his spirit that failed him; it was his body. He wasn’t fond of needing help, but he allowed me to lend a hand. He allowed me to do anything he needed. I had earned every ounce of his trust, and that is something I will carry with me forever.

I am going to try my hardest not to see this as a loss, but as a gift—an opportunity I was given to show love, dignity, and grace while I had the chance. I am deeply thankful for the time we shared and the memories I will cherish from here on. He was often a handful and a challenge, but through him I learned patience, perseverance, and the truest form of loyalty.

I love you, Rippy. I hope to see that wagging tail again one day.  Run free my friend.”

June 2nd, 2010 - January 3rd, 2026

K-9 Klara

Program Member #131

It is with an extremely heavy heart that we at Project K-9 Hero share in the passing this afternoon of Program Member #131, K-9 Klara. Klara came to our Rehabilitation & Rehoming Facility on June 1st, 2021, and has been in our program, plus an Ambassador for last 4 1/2 years.

She spent the first two of those years living here at our facility with Marine Corps and Law Enforcement Veteran, John Guthrie, who was our VP of Operations at the time. Once John took a postion to work globally and moved closer to Nashville, Klara stayed with him for the next several years. Klara was 13 1/2 years old, and was loved very much by everyone that knew her! Please keep John and his family in your thoughts tonight as the morn the loss of their Hero.

Some background on Klara’s service, after serving for six years with the Wilson Police Department, and the Carter County Sheriff’s Office, in Oklahoma, as a Dual-Purpose Patrol/Narcotics Detection K-9, at no fault of her own, Klara needed a new home.

Due to family and financial changes in the life of her Handler, Klara was unable to receive the time, attention, or care that she deserved in retirement. Knowing that Klara had a big heart and loved being around people, he contacted our organization and asked for assistance through our Project K-9 Hero Rehabilitation & Rehoming Facility.

That very week, John made the trip out to Oklahoma to work with the Handler one on one and make Klara’s transition into Project K-9 Hero as smooth and seamless as possible.

We were committed to ensuring Klara had the absolute best retirement she could and her and John bonded immediately. They stayed that way for almost five years until she crossed the Rainbow Bridge.

Thank you for your service to your community and the State of Oklahoma, Klara. We will ensure that you are Never Forgotten!

June 11th, 2012 - January 7th, 2026

K-9 Jango

Program Member #373

It is with an extremely heavy heart  that we share in the passing of Project K-9 Hero Program Member #373, K-9 “Jango.”

K-9 Jango, was a 3-year-old male Belgian Malinois who honorably served with the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office for 1.5 years as a Patrol K-9, until an on-duty incident in November of 2025 left him paralyzed and unable to breathe on his own.

During his short but productive career, K-9 Jango was deployed twenty times, and was responsible for eleven criminal finds, as well as one physical bite apprehension. K-9 Jango worked with Spokane County’s SWAT Team, where he specialized in High-Risk Tactical Operations, Search Warrants, Building Searches, Rappelling, plus Helicopter Operations and Hoisting.

On the night of his career ending injury, Jango ran thru a commercial grade double pane glass window in the dark, which left him unconscious and unable to breathe. The handler performed CPR on the scene, and all the way to the ER, in an attempt to save his partner’s life. Once they arrived, and they were able to get Jango stable, the ER Veterinary Staff immediately got him intubated, where a tube was placed in his trachea (windpipe) to maintain an open airway for delivering the oxygen he needed to survive.

PK9H was able to step up and pay the approximately $150 a day for the rehabilitation process while Jango fought for his life. That included the supplies needed, tubing, physical therapy, and 24 hour veterinary care from his doctor.

Please take a moment to mourn in the loss of K-9 Jango. We were honored to be protecting him, after all that he had been through fighting for his life, after protecting our communities and nation

July 6th, 2022- January 28th, 2026