Four-Star Success!
We are very pleased to tell you that we have, for a second time, earned a Four Star 100% rating from Charity Navigator. To give you an idea of how rare this is, Charity Navigator rates 249,000 nonprofits, and just 0.02% of them have a complete profile with a 100% score. That is approximately 50 charities nationwide and we are extremely proud to be among them.
“Our 100% Four-Star Charity Navigator rating is further validation that our supporters can trust our commitment to good governance, but also that we’re using our donors’ gifts effectively,” said Jason Johnson, Founder/CEO of Project K-9 Hero. “In addition to the four-star rating, we earned perfect scores in every metric in all four beacons in Charity Navigator’s Encompass Rating System. We hope it will introduce our work to new supporters who can help us advance our mission to giving retired working dogs the lives they deserve.”
We want to ensure that you can give to our organization with confidence, knowing your donations are used as intended to assist our nation's retired K-9 Heroes. As always, we want to convey how grateful we are for your support.
Scholarship Recipient Awards Ceremony
We are pleased to report that this year, we have chosen 16 Jodi Johnson Memorial Scholarship winners ($1,000 each) and 2 Project K-9 Hero Veterinary School Scholarship ($2,000 each) winners. Recipients are being announced throughout the month on Facebook along with their biographies and future plans. Join us there to learn more about these amazing students.
A presentation of the awards will happen Saturday, June 27th, 2026 at 11:00 am at the Michigan War Dog Memorial in South Lyon, MI. The public is welcome to attend, as we will also be dedicating the headstones of three Project K-9 Hero Program Members who have reached their End of Watch.
Michigan War Dog Memorial Ceremony
As mentioned above, the Michigan War Dog Memorial will be honoring several of our K-9 Heroes who have reached their End of Watch. This year, those honored with memorial headstones will be K-9 Mattis, K-9 Kurt, and K-9 TTirado.
Please join us Saturday, June 27th, 2026 at 11:30 a.m. local time at the Michigan War Dog Memorial in South Lyon, MI to honor these Heroes with a formal Interment Ceremony. All are welcome.
K-9 Kamo Rovers
Meet the new K-9 Kamo™ Rovers from Project K-9 Hero! Built for comfort, designed with purpose. Featuring our custom trademarked K-9 Kamo patterns in Desert Duck and Woodland colorways, these lightweight EVA foam shoes deliver all-day comfort with cushioned support and easy everyday wear.
Whether you're relaxing at home, out with the dogs, or heading to training, the Rovers are made to go wherever the day takes you.
Nashville Distillery
As America approaches its birthday, Project K-9 Hero is honored to partner with The Nashville Distillery on the limited release of 4547 250th Anniversary Edition Bourbon. A portion of the proceeds from every bottle sold will directly support Project K-9 Hero.
This is a limited release. For more information on how to obtain a bottle of 4547 250th Anniversary Bourbon that supports Project K-9 Hero, please visit The Nashville Distillery website.
Shop Our Store for Summer Favorites
Brightly colored apparel, water bottles, beach towels, and more. Get all your summer apparel at our shop and feel good about supporting a cause you care about.
REDD Rocket Lip Balms Value Pack
REDD Rocket Lip Balms have been out of stock, but we have a limited quantity now available in a four-pack value bundle. Get four for the price of three before they sell out!
Stock up and save with our all-natural lip balms, made exclusively by Project K-9 Hero. Perfect for summer.
Thank you, NASC & Pharmore Ingredients!
This month, we'd like to thank Pharmore Ingredients for using their booth at the 2026 National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) Annual Conference Phoenix, AZ to hand out our calendars and bring more awareness of our mission to a new pet-centric audience.
We are also grateful to the NASC for hosting the event and making Project K-9 Hero the nonprofit of choice for the upcoming event in 2027.
Since 2001, the National Animal Supplement Council has helped to improve the lives of millions of animals given supplements by their caretakers. Pharmore Ingredients has been dedicated to sourcing the highest quality ingredients for dietary supplements in both human and animal food industries for over 20 years. We are appreciative of the support of both these organizations for this event and year round!
Give Back with Redbarn
Throughout the upcoming month of July, Redbarn will be giving back $5 for every
22-28 lb bag of kibble sold. The promotion starts July 1st, so prepare your shopping list now!
Pet MATRX
Use code K9HERO when you shop online at PET MATRX to let them know you support our organization! They'll donate 15% of your purchase to Project K-9 Hero and YOU get 20% off your total!
Admitted to our program in May 2026, 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 WILSON
Program Member #388
Please welcome K-9 “Wilson” to our Project K-9 Hero Pack as our 388th Program Member. Wilson honorably served as a Dual-Purpose Patrol/Narcotics Detection K-9 with the Staunton Police Department, in Virginia, from 2019 until he was medically retired on December 31st, 2025.
In his seven years of service, K-9 Wilson had 802 deployments. That consisted of tracking for suspects, special needs children, and elderly people, as well as detection seizures that valued $886,300 in narcotics, illegal weapons, and property involved in drug trafficking. Wilson assisted other local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies when requested.
Wilson's accomplishments and awards for K-9 competitions, Virginia Police Canine Association (VPCA) Awards, and department voted awards speak for themselves of just how much he was loved. His early medical retirement was due to him being diagnosed with Ehrlichiosis in 2022. He also battles osteoarthritis in the hips and back. He is on several prescribed medications and supplements that cost hundreds of dollars a month, and are now the responsibility of Project K-9 Hero.
Please take a moment to welcome K-9 Wilson to our Pack! PK9H is here to protect you after all you have done to protect the State of Virginia and surrounding communities.
WELCOME K-9 MILO
Program Member #389
Please welcome K-9 “Milo” to our Project K-9 Hero Pack as our 389th Program Member. Milo honorably served as a Narcotics Detection K-9 with the Cannon County Sheriff’s Office, Grundy County Sheriff’s Office, and the Monteagle Police Department, all in the State of Tennessee, from 2021 until he was medically retired on May 7th, 2026 due to seizures.
In his five years of service, K-9 Milo, had an extremely successful run. He began his career paired with his Handler, Brant, who was a highly decorated veteran who served 20 years in the USMC.
After Brant retired from the Marine Corps, he decided to go into Law Enforcement. He decided to look into using his GI Bill to put him through K-9 Handling School. Brant was partnered with Milo at K-9 School in 2021 and they immediately clicked; they were the perfect duo.
Milo became a big hit with all the residents in Monteagle. Unfortunately, Brant got injured at work in the summer of 2024 while helping another officer with an unruly arrest, causing him to be out of work for several months. He decided to slow down his pace as an SRO with Tullahoma Police Department, with plans to get Milo into the schools.
Brant had just started his employment with Tullahoma when he suddenly passed away, leaving behind his wife, their 5-year-old son, Beckham, and K-9 Milo.
We admitted K-9 Milo into our program so we can cover his current veterinary costs at 100%, for the rest of his life to take that burden off of Brant's widow. Please take a moment to welcome K-9 Milo to our Pack
WELCOME MPC ROBBY
Program Member #390
Please welcome Multi-Purpose Canine (MPC) “Robby” as the 390th Member to our Project K-9 Hero Pack. MPC Robby is retired from the United States Naval Special Warfare (NSW) Command, where he completed four combat tours to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Africa with CENTCOM, WARCOM, and AFRICOM.
MPC Robby came to NSW at just eight months old from Europe and immediately began his rigorous training in preparation to deploy with the Naval Special Warfare Command, where he specialized in apprehension, tracking, and explosives detection.
MPC Robby was highly recognized by his team members who served along side of him for his loyalty, dedication, commitment, and obedience while serving overseas during the Global War on Terrorism. He was always by the side of Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Nathan “Gage” Ingram.
During a Naval Special Warfare operational mission on January 11, 2024, Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer Christopher J. Chambers fell into the water while attempting to board a dhow in heavy seas. Without hesitation, Ingram jumped into the sea to try and save his teammate.
MPC Robby was ultimately retired to SO1 Ingram’s Gold Star father, Chet Ingram, who is now taking care of him full time in his son’s honor back in Texas. Due to the sacrifices of this military family, we at Project K-9 Hero have offered to cover all medical expenses, office visits, prescription medication, diagnostic testing, or potential surgeries for MPC Robby at 100% for the rest of his life.
WELCOME MPC JACK
Program Member #391
Please welcome Multi-Purpose Canine (MPC) “Jack” to our Project K-9 Hero Pack as our 391st Program Member. MPC Jack served with valor as an integral component with one of the U.S. Army’s elite airborne Light Infantry and Special Operations Units, in the historic 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment (2/75). MPC Jack served as a distinguished team member within the 2nd Ranger Battalion’s War Dog Program.
Jack has conducted Special Operation training missions ranging from Direct Action Raids, Scout Program Development, and Multi-Dog Tactical Applications. MPC Jack has deployed across the world on short notice to meet the needs of his country and unit. His service undoubtedly increased the lethality and capabilities of the Ranger Dog Program.
During Jack’s career, he has worked with the nation’s most distinguished organizations in the United States Military, as well as high-level government agencies worldwide. He has trained with a plethora of partner forces abroad, elevating effectiveness of K-9 teams across the globe.
Early on in MPC Jack’s career, he was found to have constant regurgitation which affected his water intake and increased his likelihood of Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus or GDV. This issue has been managed by the service members in the unit, but poses health and financial risks now that he is medically retired with his original Handler who recently separated from service.
Due to his special medical needs, we are honored to accept this Hero into our program.
We are sorry to report that we lost two Program Members in May of 2026. You can read the full posting on our blog.
K-9 HENRY
Program Member #269
It is with an extremely heavy heart that we share in the passing of K-9 “Henry,” our first-ever Peer Support K-9, pack member #269, from medical complications.
K-9 Henry was also the first-ever Peer Support Working Dog at Orange County Sheriff's Department, CA, and he left a positive long-lasting impact on thousands of first responders! K-9 Henry first certified as a therapy dog in 2015, then a Crisis Response Canine in 2016, and finally a Peer Support K-9 in 2017.
K-9 Henry has answered over 883 calls for service during his six year career. He responded to major crises such as fires, earthquakes, floods, shootings, plane crashes, and more. Some notable instances include the Tubbs Fire, the Thomas Fire, the Paradise Fire, the Montecito Mudslides, Hurricane Harvey, the Las Vegas Shooting, and the Yorba Linda Plane Crash.
Peer Support is focused on assisting first responders dealing with traumatic incidents. Henry's impact goes even further, extending comfort to victims of tragedies by attending events like candlelight vigils to help bring solace to those affected by crisis.
In retirement, K-9 Henry was receiving treatment for severe arthritis in his hips and back legs. He was on a multitude of medications and supplements that cost hundreds of dollars a month. As the 269th Program Member, we at PK9H were honored to pay for all of K-9 Henry’s veterinary office visits, consultations, surgeries, emergency needs, medications, and prescription food at 100%.
K-9 Henry's journey was not just a story of service; it's a testament to the evolving roles of canines in supporting the emotional well-being of those who serve and protect our communities. As pioneers in this field, Henry and his Handler have paved the way for the recognition and care of Peer Support Working Dogs, acknowledging their pivotal role in maintaining the mental health of our nation’s First Responder Heroes.
Please take a moment to remember K-9 Henry as the absolute legend that he was! We as an organization couldn’t be any more proud to have had this Hero as our first-ever Peer Support K-9. Rest in Peace Henry. We will Never let you be Forgotten!
February 28th, 2013 - May 12th, 2026
K-9 KAZAAN
Program Member #121
It is with an extremely heavy heart that we share in the passing of Project K-9 Hero Program Member #121, K-9 “Kazaan,” from a stroke that he unfortunately couldn’t overcome.
Kazaan honorably served as a dual-purpose Patrol/Narcotics Detection K-9 at the Richland County Sheriff's Department in South Carolina and was a member of our Pack for over five years. When Kazaan entered PK9H, he was in desperate need of blood transfusions after he contracted ehrlichiosis from a tick bite and was in the chronic stages of that disease. The blood transfusions were very costly, but we at Project K-9 Hero were proud to cover his medical care at 100% to give him an additional five years with his Handler and Family.
“It was because of Project K-9 Hero that he was able to be with us these extra years!” stated his owner, former Deputy and K-9 Handler Chad Rains.
We at PK9H will ensure that Kazaan is Never Forgotten, and we were honored to see that he got the medical care that he deserved after his service to our Country, and the State of South Carolina!
September 6th, 2012 - May 19th, 2026
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