K-9 Yoube's Goal
We can't believe this is our last newsletter of 2024! The year has gone by quickly, and we have admitted almost 52 new Heroes (we will reach 52 by December 31st), all thanks to your support.
As you may know, K-9 Yoube has been going through some extraordinary health challenges. Having served the Chattanooga Police Department in Tennessee for seven years and then being left without a home, Yoube has overcome hardship before. She works as our National Ambassador, and has graced the covers of our holiday cards two years in a row. In August, she suddenly lost her ability to walk. She's been fighting hard to regain her strength and continue in her role, working to make sure no dogs like her are forgotten.
Right now, Yoube is working hard to help us raise some end-of-year donations. She's trying to reach a goal of $75,000, and she hopes that you will join her! If you can donate, we are grateful. If you are unable, we appreciate your support and hope you'll tell someone else about her story. With more than $38,000 already invested in Yoube's medical bills, every dollar counts. If you could offer even just the cost of your morning cup of coffee towards Yoube's goal, we would be so grateful.
Thank you for everything you have done with us this year. None of it would be possible without you! We wish you very joyful holidays and a Happy New Year!
Last Chance!
Our limited edition holiday items are here to fill your stockings with joy and cheer!
These will NOT be printed again. They make wonderful stocking stuffers for the K-9 Hero lover in your life, so order them today to ensure they are delivered before Christmas. Gift with purpose!
Thanks to Our Sponsor: PetSafe®
We are excited to announce PetSafe®, one of the largest pet brands in the world, as our Title Sponsor for our 4th Annual Performers for Paws Fundraising Concert, taking place on January 30th, 2025, at The Nashville Palace!
Don’t miss this unforgettable evening of entertainment and philanthropy in support of our retired K-9 Heroes! Enjoy acoustic performances from country music artists, a silent and live auction, and the opportunity to meet several of our organization's ambassadors like K-9 Mattis and K-9 Yoube.
Dozer's Law: We Still Need You, Michigan!
We NEED YOUR HELP, if you are a Resident of Michigan, to email, call, or write the office of the Chair of the House Criminal Justice Committee, Representative Kara Hope, and urge her to support this important legislation that will help protect Police K-9s for generations to follow. Our community has followed through and they are taking notice. Let's keep up the momentum!
Are You Getting Our Emails?
New webmail rules are making it more difficult than ever to get into your inbox. In order to be compliant, we are updating the way our news is delivered to you. To make sure you don't miss any of our emails, please make sure to whitelist projectk9hero.org, as well as donor.projectk9hero.org, shop.projectk9hero.org, and hello.projectk9hero.org. We appreciate you!
Limited Edition Hats
This is the first and only time this hat will ever be offered! Each one is laser engraved, hand-painted, and hand-stitched by one of our active law enforcement, PK9H Program Member Handlers. No two are alike and each one is individually numbered, one through one hundred!
This style will never be created again.
Each one comes packed in a box with paw print tissue paper and a certificate of authenticity, signed by our Founder, Jason Johnson. And they are selling fast!
Admitted to our program in November 2024, these dogs are now lifetime members of the Project K-9 Hero Pack and will receive full medical care for the duration of their lives from our organization, thanks to you!
Don't forget to check out our BLOG, where you can read about our Program Members as soon as they join!
WELCOME K-9 FURIA
Program Member #307
Please welcome K-9 Furia, as our 307th Program Member inducted into our Project K-9 Hero Pack!
K-9 Furia bravely served as a Dual-Purpose Patrol/Narcotics Detection K-9, from 2021 through 2022 with Wichita County Sheriff’s Office in Texas, until a genetic shoulder issue forced her into an early medical separation from service. Furia required immediate surgery for Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), which is a joint disease that affects dogs when cartilage in a joint separates from the bone.
WELCOME K-9 RONNIE
Program Member #308
Please welcome K-9 “Ronnie” to the Project K-9 Hero Pack, as our 308th Program Member. Ronnie honorably served at the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, from 2017 to 2024, as an Explosives/Firearms Detection K-9.
K-9 Ronnie is an 11-year old German Shepherd who spent seven years serving Los Angeles County, helping keep their citizens and visitors safe from dangerous criminals. Throughout his career, Ronnie participated in countless tactical operations, calls for service, and demonstrations for schools, youth programs, and fundraisers.
WELCOME MWD NNINJA (V672)
Program Member #309
Please welcome Military Working Dog (MWD) "NNinja" (V672) to our Project K-9 Hero Pack as our 309th Program Member! MWD NNinja spent 10 years assigned to the U.S. Army's 525th Military Working Dog Detachment in Wiesbaden, Germany.
MWD NNinja was certified as a Patrol/Explosives Detector Dog - Enhanced (PEDD-E) that served with the utmost distinction during his career. While at Wiesbaden, NNinja was tasked with conducting law enforcement duties as well as explosive detection missions.
WELCOME K-9 GHOST
Program Member #310
Please welcome K-9 Ghost as our 310th Program Member inducted into our Project K-9 Hero Pack. Ghost bravely served as a Dual-Purpose Patrol/Narcotics Detection K-9, from 2016 through 2023, with Goldsboro Police Department, in North Carolina.
During his seven years of service, K-9 Ghost was responsible for hundreds of narcotic finds that led to arrest or seizure. K-9 Ghost also assisted multiple local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies with the service of search warrants including the apprehension of violent criminals.
WELCOME MWD LUDJO (Z251)
Program Member #311
Please welcome retired Military Working Dog (MWD), United States Marine Corps, Combat Tracking Dog (CTD) "Ludjo" (Z251) to our Project K-9 Hero Pack as our 311th Program Member!
MWD Ludjo served with honorable distinction for five years in the United States Marine Corps as a certified Combat Tracker Dog stationed in Okinawa, Japan, with the USMC’s 3rd Law Enforcement Battalion. In addition to his patrol duties, MWD Ludjo participated in multiple real world scenarios to assist Survival Evasion Resistance Escape (SERE) for Fighter Jet Pilots while in forward deployed in Asia.
WELCOME K-9 KEVIN
Program Member #312
This Thanksgiving, we at Project K-9 Hero wanted to find a special way to help a retired working dog and first responder family in need of our assistance the most. After scanning through our 800 plus applications for program services, we selected to assist retired Police K-9 “Kevin” from Ludlow Police Department, Kentucky. We are welcoming him to our Pack as our 312th Program Member.
In February of 2023, K-9 Kevin began to become unreliable during work. While he was still somewhat young, they could not seem to fix the issues he was starting to have while working through training. Kevin was becoming more and more skittish until it became an issue that he was undeployable.
We are saddened to tell you that six of our Program Members reached their End of Watch in November of this year. You can read their full End of Watch post on our website.
SSD Xandi
Program Member #182
It is with an extremely heavy heart that we report the passing of U.S. Army Specialized Search Dog (SSD) “Xandy,” our 182nd member of the Project K-9 Hero Pack.
June 12, 2009 - November 10, 2024
MWD RRODDIE (R881)
Program Member #176
We are saddened to announced the loss of Military Working Dog “Rroddie” (R881). MWD Rroddie was retired from the United States Army, where he completed three combat tours, two in Afghanistan and one in Iraq, as a Dual-Purpose Patrol/ Explosive Detection K-9.
June 1st, 2010 - November 18th, 2024
K-9 Koda
Program Member #133
It is with an extremely heavy heart that we share the passing of K-9 Koda. June 11th, 2021 was the date given for Koda to be euthanized. His handler was given three weeks by the department to find an alternative for Koda. Twenty-four hours before K-9 Koda was to be put down, he found Project K-9 Hero.
March 20th, 2015 - November 19th, 2024
K-9 Krank
Program Member #291
This month, we tearfully said goodbye to retired Police K-9 “Krank," who was living with us at our Rehabilitation & Rehoming Facility. Krank served with honor and distinction for five years as a Dual-Purpose Patrol/Narcotics Detection K-9 with three separate agencies in the south/central area of Florida.
January 1st, 2017 - November 26th, 2024
K-9 Grim
Program Member #159
On the eve of Thanksgiving, we received news from K-9 Grim’s Handler that he was rushed to the ER where fluid was discovered around his heart and lungs. We worked with the staff at the ER, and his Handler, to assist in any way possible and cover all associated costs. Unfortunately, there was nothing more anyone could do that night, and we regret to inform everyone we lost Project K-9 Hero #159 to complications of Lung Cancer.
February 26th, 2019 - November 27th, 2024
K-9 Brock
Program Member #235
It is with an extremely heavy heart that we share the passing of Project K-9 Hero Program Member #235, K-9 Brock, due to complications with his long battle with cancer. Brock bravely fought this disease head on and lived for six more months than doctors predicted. His Handler stated, “his quality of life has been outstanding,” during the extra time we were able to help give Brock to be with his family.
March 3rd, 2012 - November 29th, 2024
