WE DID IT!
January began with something worth celebrating, because together, we met our goal and then some!
Thanks to your generosity, our final 2025 campaign raised $132,415.88, surpassing the original $100,000 goal and even the increased $117,500 target set on the final day of the campaign. That outpouring of support ensured retired K-9 Heroes and their families could enter the new year with stability, care, and peace of mind.
Every gift, every shop purchase, every shared post, and every opened email helped move the mission forward, toward a future where retired K-9 Heroes never face medical needs alone.
We are so grateful for this moment. The year ahead holds even more promise, made possible by the community that continues to stand beside our nation’s retired K-9 Heroes.
Our upcoming 5th Annual Performers for Paws, this January 29th, 2026, is also going to be a huge fundraiser for our K-9 Heroes. We hope to see you there for a night of music and fun!
We are looking forward to a fantastic year together!
Thank You, Sponsors!
It's almost time for the big night, and we are once again giving our thanks to our Title Sponsor: RedBarn Pet Products! We are grateful for all you do for us throughout the year, and are pleased to kick off 2026 with you as the Title Sponsor for our big event!
We are also pleased to announce the support of our other sponsors, without which this event could not happen: Blackbird Armament; Suncoast Financial & Insurance Agency, Inc; Lamar Advertising of Nashville; Elanco Animal Health; Animal Cancer & Referral Center; Nashville Distillery; Summit Animal Health; PetMat RX; True North Companies; Chris Weaver Band; Daimler Truck; Fusion Veterinary Orthopedics; AllyRight; The Whiskey House; PGA of American Reach Foundation; APPA; Whitefish Writers Fest; Tito's Handmade Vodka; Forgeworks; Cleartopia; Label 22; Summitview Cowiche Veterinary Clinic; Rock Solid Security; Gable Capital Insurance Companies; Doginme Crypto Token; Next Level K9 Texas; Cowboy Mud; Pharmore Ingredients; Monster K-9 Toys; and Kinz & Co Magnets; Campione's Pizza; Musical Miles Podcast; Dog Cloud Beds; Canine Rehabilitation of Nashville; NATCA Charitable Foundation; and Crown Protection Dogs.
Many of them are repeat sponsors of this event and we are very grateful for their support of our mission!
As you plan your company's sponsorships for your 2027, please keep our 6th Annual Performers for Paws in mind!
K-9 Jango's Fight to Walk Again
K-9 Jango honorably served with the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office as a Patrol and SWAT K-9 until everything changed during an on-duty incident in November 2025.
While working in the dark, Jango ran through a commercial-grade double-pane glass window, suffering catastrophic injuries that left him unconscious, paralyzed, and unable to breathe. His Handler immediately performed CPR at the scene and en route to the emergency hospital.
Jango is expected to walk, breathe, and eat on his own again, but the fight will be long and the work hard, with an average cost of $150 per day of therapy. We've got his back!
Learn more about K-9 Jango's fight to walk and breathe again.
Special Promotion: Get A Copy of "Just Yoube" the Book and get a Free 2026 Memorial Calendar
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. Add it to your cart and a free copy of the 2026 Memorial Calendar will be added, too.
Shop Pet MatRX & Give Back to PK9H
We've partnered with Pet MatRX premium canine supplements.
If you shop at PET MATRX from now until the end of March, 10% of all sales come back to PK9H and our retired working dogs.
Use code K9HERO to let them know you support our organization!
BACK IN STOCK: 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.
We got a VERY limited restock, and they're going fast!
Performers for Paws Dinner Sponsor:
Pharmore Ingredients
Thank you to Pharmore Ingredients for generously sponsoring the buffet-style meal and passed appetizers at our 5th Annual Performers for Paws on January 29, 2026, at the Nashville Palace.
From 5:30 to 8:00 p.m., your support will help nourish our guests while fueling lifesaving care for retired K-9 Heroes and advancing our lifesaving mission. We look forward to the meal and are grateful for your support!
PFP Flipbook Sponsor: Monster K-9 Toys
Thank you to Monster K-9 Toys for sponsoring the photo flipbook booth at our 5th Annual Performers for Paws on January 29, 2026.
Guests will be able to capture an animated moment of their night and take home a branded flipbook souvenir, thanks to Monster K-9 Toys' generosity and support of retired K-9 Heroes.
PFP Afterparty Sponsor: Suncoast Financial
Thank you to Suncoast Financial for sponsoring our Performers for Paws afterparty on January 29, 2026.
Beginning at 10:00 p.m., guests can enjoy incredible performances by Brooks Herring with a full band and Justin Andrews with a full band, all in support of retired K-9 Heroes and because of Suncoast Financial!
Admitted to our program in December 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 AKSEL
Program Member #365
Please welcome retired K-9 “Aksel”to the Project K-9 Hero Pack as our 365th Program Member.
K-9 Aksel is a one-year-old male Belgian Malinois who honorably served with the Mount Juliet, TN Police Department for just a few months before he was severely injured while on duty.
Aksel was a new addition to the department when he and his partner were "t-boned" while responding to an in-progress call. Aksel suffered a 100% tear of his Achilles ligament. He was operated on and had another tear during rehab, necessitating amputation. We are making sure his medical costs are covered.
WELCOME K-9 USIREV
Program Member #366
Please welcome K-9 Usirev aka "Usi” to our Project K-9 Hero Pack as our 366th Program Member! K-9 Usi served as a Dual-Purpose Patrol/Narcotics Detection K-9 with the Phoenix Police Department for six years.
During his six-year career, K-9 Usi totaled over 250 deployments, successfully located over 60 criminal suspects, and compiled 11 suspect apprehensions, many of which were armed. Additionally, he had several narcotic finds which led to the seizure of at least 10 firearms.
Off-duty, K-9 Usi is known for his extremely mild temperament and social ability. He participated in several K-9 demonstrations for many different schools and organizations.
WELCOME MWD LACO
Program Member #367
Please welcome retired U.S. Army Military Working Dog “Laco” (X000) as the 367th member to the Project K-9 Hero Pack! MWD Laco is medically retired from the U.S. Army due to a severe diagnosed case of hip dysplasia, after eight years of service as a Dual-Purpose Patrol/Explosives Detection Dog at Fort Stewart, GA.
MWD Laco has completed two deployments overseas in his career, one to Egypt, and one to Iraq, in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. He has also participated in over 50 United States Secret Service missions providing Explosives Detection capabilities for VIP’s to include POTUS, VPOTUS, FLOTUS, and various high ranking military officials.
WELCOME K-9 MISTY
Program Member #368
Please welcome K-9 Misty as our 368th Program Member inducted into our Project K-9 Hero Pack!
K-9 Misty bravely served as a Certified Human Remains Detection K-9, in both Land and Water, from 2018 through 2025, with TEXSAR (Texas Search and Rescue.)
During her seven years of service, K-9 Misty deployed on 56 searches for Human Remains that ranged from natural disasters, to open water searches, to wilderness search and rescue operations. This included assisting with the catastrophic flash flooding incident in Kerrville, Texas, in July of 2025.
WELCOME K-9 FURY
Program Member #369
Please welcome K-9 “Fury” to the Project K-9 Hero Pack as our 369th Program Member, and our 52nd for 2025. Fury honorably served at the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, from 2016 to 2024, as a Narcotics Detection K-9, assigned to the Detective Division, at their Narcotics Bureau Headquarters.
K-9 Fury is a 10-year old German Shepherd/Belgian Malinois mix that spent eight years serving Los Angeles County helping keep their citizens and visitors safe from dangerous criminals and illegal drugs.
Throughout his career, Fury participated in countless tactical operations, calls for service, demonstrations for schools, youth programs, and fundraisers. Fury alerted to hundreds of pounds of narcotics, and thousands of dollars in U.S. currency that was tainted with the odor of narcotics and subsequently seized. During Fury's career, he assisted DEA, ATF, and HSI as well as many outside agency's/local police departments with numerous search warrants and vehicle stops.
It is with sadness that we let you know we lost four Pack Members in December 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 Corado
Program Member #355
It is with an extremely heavy heart that we share in the passing of retired Military Working Dog (MWD) "Corado" (W504), the 355th Program Member of our Project K-9 Hero Pack.
MWD Corado served for nine years in the United States Marine Corps as a certified Patrol/Explosives Detection Dog. Graduating from Lackland Air Force Base in 2014, MWD Corado was immediately assigned to Camp Hansen, Japan. There he deployed in support of operations in Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific Region with the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force from 2015-2020. During that assignment, he attended the MWD Pre-Deployment course in Yuma, AZ on three separate occasions with three separate handlers, earning the “Top Dog Award” in 2017. After his assignment with the Marine Expeditionary Force was complete, MWD Corado remained stationed in Okinawa, Japan with the USMC’s Military Police Detachment and Provost Marshal’s Office from 2020-2023.
Please take a moment to keep MWD Corado’s and Handler and Family in your thoughts and hearts, as he will truly be missed by many!
August 27th, 2013 - December 1st, 2025
MPC Donder
Program Member #193
With great sadness, we share in the passing of Multi-Purpose Canine (MPC) Donder2 (Y401).
MPC Donder served for five years with the U.S. Army’s Special Operations Command in the 3rd Special Forces Group. During her highly decorated career, she deployed to CENTCOM, led Green Berets on dozens of Special Operations missions and Direct Action raids, and repeatedly placed herself in harm’s way to protect American lives.
In 2016, Donder suffered a severe fall resulting in a significant leg injury. After extensive surgery and rehabilitation, she returned to full duty and deployed again with her Handler. By 2019, the physical toll of service forced her into early retirement.
In retirement, Donder continued to face medical challenges. She found a loving home with an active-duty Army veterinarian who selflessly cared for her, even as medical costs grew overwhelming. Project K-9 Hero was honored to step in and ensure Donder received the care she deserved.
During the summer of 2025, Donder was diagnosed with metastatic cancer. Despite treatment and tireless efforts to give her more time, her body ultimately could not overcome the illnesses she fought so bravely.
MPC Donder’s End of Watch came after a long, courageous struggle. Her legacy lives on in the lives she protected and the hearts she touched. She will always be remembered.
September 16th, 2013 - December 4th, 2025
K-9 Asha
Program Member #167
It is with an extremely heavy heart that we share in the passing of K-9 Asha, our 167th Program Member, and our 2021 Project K-9 Hero, K-9 Hero Awards, Narcotics Detection Dog of the Year winner.
Please take a moment to watch the video that we produced on her and her Handler, Jaime Garcia.
K-9 Asha officially retired on February 7th, 2022, after years of service to the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office, in Texas. K-9 Asha served as a Narcotics Detection K-9 on the southern border of Texas, where she siezed millions of dollars in illegal narcotics and drug related currency annually. She began her career by being donated to the K9s.org through iK9 and the 1st Foundation. Once she was trained and placed in the field by K9s.org, she quickly rose to becoming a nationally known hero, and was named their “Top Narcotics Seizure” Award Winner in 2018 and 2019.
In 2022, Asha was be featured on our Project K-9 Hero “K-9 Hero Awards” television special on GAC Family Network. As part of her winning our inaugural Narcotics Detection K-9 Hero of the Year Award, she was placed in our program as soon as her service was complete.
Rest in Peace, K-9 Asha, you were a true HERO! We at PK9H will NEVER let you be FORGOTTEN!
May 31st, 2013 - December 10th, 2025
K-9 TTirado
Program Member #196
It is with an extremely heavy heart that we share in the passing of Project K-9 Hero Program Member #196, K-9 TTirado, from health complications at 16 years of age. TTirado and his Handler have been an instrumental part of our program for more than three years, from participating in PK9H events, to helping us raise funding and awareness for retired working dogs nationwide.
K-9 TTirado was a male Labrador Retriever trained in explosives detection for the Transportation Security Administration - TSA. He honorably served for eight years, working his first three years at Honolulu Airport, and then transferring to Indianapolis Airport for the last five years, from where he retired. TTirado was part of the TSA Puppy Program and was the half brother to the late PK9HERO Program Member “HHoward.” TTirado received his unique name in honor of FDNY Engine 23 Firefighter, Hector Luis Tirado Jr., that died in service on September 11th, 2001.
Over TTirado’s career, he has helped support security operations for the Indy 500, Super Bowl 52, the NCAA Final Four, the Kentucky Derby, the NFL Pro Bowl, and the 2017 Presidential Inauguration.
TTirado was deeply loved by his Handler, and he served the citizens of United States of America with true dedication and distinction. Please join us in remembering a true Hero and help us ensure that K-9 TTirado will NEVER be FORGOTTEN!
November 23rd, 2009 - December 12th, 2025
