The End is Near
The end of the year, of course! The very last days of 2025 are upon us, and as always, we make an end of the year push to collect funds for our Program Members. This year, we're trying to raise $100,000 - our most ambitious goal yet! And we think we can get there with your help.
This year, we're asking our donors why they give and telling the stories of four of our Program Members - MWD Rudy, K-9 Guapo, K-9 Piton, and Sgt. Bo - and how your support made a significant difference in their lives.
We'd love to know why you give. If you donated this year, we're asking you to tell us about it on social media. Tag @projectk9hero and use the hashtag #WhyIGive to let everyone know what moved you to donate for our nation's retired K-9 Heroes. And if you feel so inclined, we would appreciate your help, through donations or shares, to reach our $100,000 goal.
As always, thank you for all you do for our K-9 Heroes. Happy Holidays! Thank you for sharing this year with us! See you in 2026.
Announcing Our Sponsors!
In big news, we are announcing our Title Sponsor for Performers for Paws: RedBarn Pet Products! You can read all about them below in our Sponsor Spotlight.
We are also pleased to announce the support of: Blackbird Armament; Suncoast Financial & Insurance Agency, Inc; Elanco Animal Health; Animal Cancer & Referral Center; Nashville Distillery; PetMat RX; True North Companies; Chris Weaver Band; Daimler Truck; Whitefish Writers Fest; Tito's Handmade Vodka; Forgeworks; Cleartopia; Gable Capital Insurance Companies; Doginme Crypto Token; Next Level K9 Texas; Cowboy Mud; Pharmore Ingredients; Monster K-9 Toys; and Kinz & Co Magnets. Many of them are repeat sponsors of this event and we are very grateful for their support of our mission!
If you'd like to become a sponsor, now is the time! CONNECT WITH US FOR MORE DETAILS.
Order By December 16th for Christmas Delivery!
The end is also near for ordering from our shop before Christmas! If you want something under your tree, please order by 1 pm central time December 16th to be sure it arrives in time! Shipping is 2-5 business days through DHL. We cannot guarantee delivery date.
We have plenty of options to choose from, including Holiday Cards, Ornaments, Kids Books, Dog Toys, and lots more. You can feel great that your gift supports the well being of our nation's retired K-9 Heroes.
Federal Employee Giving Program - Hurry!
If you're a federal employee, you can now enroll in the Combined Federal Campaign and designate donations to the charity of your choice. If our mission resonates with you, we’d be honored to be included. Enrollment closes December 31st, 2025.
Visit the CFC website for details on giving through payroll deductions. Deductions will begin in 2026. Even a small amount each pay period adds up for our K-9 Heroes.
If you’re not a federal employee or active military yourself, please help spread the word. Our CFC ID number is #16508.
New Item: "Just Yoube" the Book
Introducing Just Yoube, our brand-new children’s book inspired by one of Project K-9 Hero’s most beloved ambassadors.
Join her journey as she proves she is so much more than "Just Yoube." Now available in our online shop. Makes a perfect holiday gift for the little ones in your life!
ORDER BEFORE DECEMBER 16th!
Get your Holiday cards and ornaments before it's too late.
This year, our Limited Edition Holiday Ornaments honor our late National Ambassador, K-9 Yoube.
Missed starting your collection last year with K-9 Axel? Don’t worry; there’s still time! When you purchase the 2025 K-9 Yoube ornament, you can add the 2024 K-9 Axel ornament for half off, while supplies last. No code needed. Just add Yoube to your cart and accept the offer.
NEW ITEM: K-9 Callie Sherpa Blanket by Nine Line Apparel
Lightweight yet warm, this blanket is perfect for curling up on the couch, taking on road trips, or keeping close as a comforting reminder of the courage and service that define our K-9 Heroes. Its universal design makes it ideal for everyday relaxation or as a meaningful decorative throw that honors a remarkable legacy.
Our stock is extremely limited on this item! Order before December 16th for your best chance to get it before Christmas.
K-9 Rick (Program Member #186) enjoys his Redbarn goodie bag.
REDBARN
Thank you to Redbarn, our Title Sponsor for Performers for Paws 2026 and a steadfast long-term partner in our mission.
Their generosity touches every corner of Project K-9 Hero, from donating food by the pallet for the dogs living at our Rehabilitation & Rehoming Facility, to autoshipping nutrition directly to the homes of 16 of our Program Members.
This year alone, Redbarn provided over 100 goodie boxes to our retired K-9 Heroes, and their nationwide campaign donating $5 from every 22–28 lb bag sold in November made an incredible impact to our cause. Redbarn's support ensures our K-9 Heroes receive the care, comfort, and compassion they deserve, and we are deeply grateful for their commitment to those who once protected us all.
TreatInk
We’re thrilled to announce our new TreatInk x Project K-9 Hero collaboration! You can create custom dog treat bags featuring your own dog’s photo and name.
For the first 1,000 bags sold, TreatInk will donate 100% of the proceeds directly to Project K-9 Hero. After that, TreatInk will continue to give 20% of every sale back to us.
Summit Animal Health
We’ve partnered with Summit Animal Health to bring you trusted health products for your furry companions. When you shop using our affiliate link, 30% of your purchase goes directly to support Project K-9 Hero, at no extra cost to you. Plus, you enjoy 20% off your order with coupon code PK9H20.
Healthy pets, happy hearts, and a mission you believe in. It’s a win-win!
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!
Admitted to our program in November 2025, 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 VIDAM
Program Member #361
Please welcome retired K-9 “Vidam” (D668) to the Project K-9 Hero Pack, as our 361st Program Member.
K-9 Vidam, a female German Shorthaired Pointer, honorably served with the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport Police Department for 2.5 years, until a diagnosed medical condition forced her into an early retirement. K-9 Vidam was an exceptional Explosives Detection Canine and performed her duties with distinction at the Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP), as well as other high profile assignments across the United States.
WELCOME MWD EMESE
Program Member #362
Please welcome Retired Military Working Dog “Emese” (C455) into our Project K-9 Hero Pack as our 362nd Program Member.
MWD Emese was retired in October 2025 from the United States Air Force, due to medical issues with her spine, specifically, L7 Radiculopathy, Degenerative Joint Disease, and Intervertebral Foraminal Stenosis. She also sufffered from nerve impingement and neurological deficits, resulting in her dragging her hind leg.
However, due to a history of aggressive behavior in regards to overprotecting her Handler, MWD Emese was facing euthanasia because she was unable to be adopted out by any Air Force personnel who had previously worked with her.
Once we at Project K-9 Hero became aware of the situation, we immediately made room at our 100%-capacity Rehabilitation & Rehoming Facility to bring MWD Emese into our program.
WELCOME MPC ZERO
Program Member #363
Please welcome Multi-Purpose Canine (MPC) “Zero” to our Project K-9 Hero Pack as our 363rd program member.
MPC Zero served for three years with the U.S. Army’s 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. His service was instrumental in the 1st Ranger Battalion’s “War Dog Program.” MPC Zero deployed in support of the Global War on Terror in Afghanistan to help locate and capture high-value targets. He was utilized in classified Special Operations Missions performing Fast Rope Insertion (FRIES), Rappelling, Hoisting, Long Distance Movements, Raids, Scouting, Tracking, and Explosive Detection.
Throughout Zero’s career, he has worked with top tier organizations within the Department of Defense, as well as high-level government agencies from outside the DoD, such as the FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team, undoubtedly elevating effectiveness of K-9 teams globally.
WELCOME K-9 A.C.
Program Member #364
Please welcome retired K-9 “A.C.” (K-160) to the Project K-9 Hero Pack, as our 364th Program Member.
K-9 A.C., is a 11-year-old male Belgian Malinois/Dutch Shepherd mix, who honorably served with the Norfolk, VA Police Department, for five years from 2016 - 2021. K-9 A.C. is a Dual-Purpose Patrol Apprehension/Explosives Detection Dog that was certified through the Virginia Police Work Dog Association in both disciplines.
During his career, A.C. was deployed several hundred times, and was responsible for several high-risk finds, as well as physical apprehensions. K-9 A.C. was attached with Norfolk PD’s Special Operations Team, Fugitive Unit, and the U.S. Marshal’s Task Force regularly. In addition, A.C. performed several preemptive Explosive Detection sweeps for dozens Political, Military, and NATO Dignitaries visiting Joint Force Command Headquarters in Norfolk.
It is with sadness that we let you know we lost five Pack Members in November of 2025. We salute them for their service and will never forget their contributions to our country. You can read their full End of Watch post on our website to understand their full impacts on our communities and our country.
MWD NNinja
Program Member #309
It is with an extremely heavy heart that we share in the passing of Retired Military Working Dog (MWD) "NNinja" (V672) from health complications.
MWD NNinja was our 309th program member, who 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 including two deployments overseas.
PK9H was honored to cover all of NNinja’s office visits, prescriptions, surgeries, and medical needs at 100% for the last year of his retirement. It was the least we could do for him after all he has done for our country!
Please take a moment to remember MWD NNinja as we at Project K-9 Hero will ensure that he is #NeverForgotten.
September 14th, 2012 - November 6th, 2025
K-9 Tek
Program Member #232
It is with an extremely heavy heart that we share in the passing of our 232nd Program Member, K-9 “Tek,” from health complications.
K-9 Tek, served as a Dual-Purpose Patrol/Narcotics Detection K-9 with the Dodge County Sheriff's Office in Wisconsin for over five years, protecting the community. During his years of service, K-9 Tek chalked up a total of 98 arrests during his 314 deployments. He also performed numerous public demonstrations to educate the community about working dogs in law enforcement.
In 2021, K-9 Tek and his Handler were awarded the overall “Top Dog” team at the annual Jessiffany Canine Services LLC Seminar and Competition.
Throughout his career, K-9 Tek developed some serious medical issues that led him to undergo multiple major surgeries, once to repair a herniated disc in his spine, and another for a hernia he had developed in his colon. K-9 Tek has continued to suffer from chronic joint pain since his initial surgery, as well as severe skin allergies. This left him on costly medication that he had to take daily, which was no longer covered once he was retired.
Rest In Peace K-9 Tek. We appreciate all that you gave to your Community, the State of Wisconsin, and the United States of America ! We at PK9H will ensure that you are #NeverForgotten!
June 23rd, 2015 - November 6th, 2025
K-9 Titan
Program Member #154
It is with an extremely heavy that we share in the passing of Project K-9 Hero Program Member #154, K-9 Titan.
Titan was the 2021 Firearms Detection Dog of the Year in America and had an amazing career. He will be greatly missed by his Handler, Dan, and his family!
Please take a moment to watch this video that honors Titan for the Hero that he was! We at PK9H will ensure that he is #NeverForgotten!
February 1st, 2012 - November 11th, 2025
K-9 Alana
Program Member #319
It is with an extremely heavy heart that we share in the passing of Project K-9 Hero Pack Member #319, K-9 Alana, who honorably served at the Cleveland TN Police Department, from 2016 to 2024 as a Narcotics Detection K-9.
On Thanksgiving, Alana was rushed to the ER at the Veterinary Care and Specialty Group in Chattanooga with abdominal bleeding. Unfortunately, she was unable to recover from this incident and passed away peacefully at around noon.
K-9 Alana was a 10-year old Labrador Retriever, that spent six years serving the State of Tennessee, helping keep their citizens and visitors safe from dangerous criminals and drugs. Throughout her career, K-9 Alana assisted the 10th Judicial Drug Task Force, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, United States Post Office, and Public Housing Authority, with interdiction and investigations that lead to arrests and convictions in most all cases.
Please take a moment to keep K-9 Alana’s family and Handler in your thoughts. We were honored to protect her after all she has done to Protect our community! We will never let K-9 Alana be forgotten!
June 20th, 2015 - November 27th, 2025
K-9 Anik
Program Member #339
It is with an extremely heavy heart that we share in the passing of Project K-9 Hero Pack Member #339, K-9 Anik, retired from the Chattanooga Police Department.
Over Thanksgiving week, Anik was at the Veterinary Care and Specialty Group to remove a large mass on his lungs. Post surgery complications with air getting into his lungs brought on a Sepsis condition. Despite us paying over $15,272.04 on Thanksgiving Day, unfortunately there was nothing the team of Surgeons, his Handler, or we at PK9H could do to save this Hero. All of our hearts are completely broken over the loss of K-9 Anik.
K-9 Anik was a 12-year-old German Shepherd, that served his community for 10 years specializing in conducting narcotics detection, suspect apprehension, handler protection, building searches, area searches, and tracking suspects.
During his career, K-9 Anik assisted the DEA, TBI, Homeland Security, ATF, FBI, US Marshals Service, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Collegedale Police Department, Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, and the East Ridge Police Department with felony level investigations.
Please take a moment to remember K-9 Anik today and keep his family and his Handler in your thoughts. It was an immense honor to serve Anik, as he spent four years in the same unit as our recently passed National Ambassador, K-9 Yoube! We at Project K-9 Hero will ensure that he is #NeverForgotten!
June 15th, 2013 - November 27th, 2025
