Expanding Our Pack To Better Serve Our Heroes
Project K-9 Hero is growing! With more than 150 living Program Members depending on us for daily support, from medical expenses to prescription food and rehabilitation, we’re expanding our team to make sure every retired K-9 Hero continues to receive the care they deserve.
After a highly competitive hiring process with an impressive number of applicants, we’re proud to introduce our two new Program Service Coordinators, Katelyn Criddle-Johns and Chrystal Templeton. Both bring exceptional professional experience, a deep sense of purpose, and a personal connection to our mission.
Katelyn's father handles K-9 Alana, our 319th Program Member, at the Cleveland, TN Police Department. Katelyn states, “As the daughter of a proud member of your organization, I have seen firsthand the invaluable work you do in supporting retired K-9s and their handlers.”
Chrystal is a former Police Officer and School Safety Officer with over 20 years of experience in law enforcement, victim advocacy, insurance adjusting, and business leadership. She joins her husband Gary Templeton, who is one of our K-9 Rehabilitation Specialists at PK9H Headquarters. Together they have Pack Members #330 and #344, MWD Iras and K-9 Jack, living with them on their family farm.
In their new roles, Katelyn and Chrystal will be working directly with our Program Members and their handlers, ensuring their needs are met, invoices are processed quickly, and communication remains seamless. Whether coordinating veterinary care, managing prescription orders, or answering daily questions from the field, these two professionals will serve as the first line of support for those who once served us.
Please join us in welcoming Katelyn and Chrystal to the Project K-9 Hero family. We’re proud to have their expertise and heart on our team!
Katelyn Criddle-Johns
Chrystal Templeton
We'd also like to remind you that we're seeking sponsors for our 5th Annual Performers for Paws event on January 29th, 2026. Thus far, we're pleased to announce the support of: Blackbird Armament; Elanco Animal Health; Animal Cancer & Referral Center; and True North Companies. Most of them are repeat supporters of this event and we are deeply grateful for their support of our mission!
Thank you, Sponsors!
As always, thank you for all you do for your K-9 Heroes. Keep reading for all the stories of the month. Have a safe and happy Halloween!
2026 Memorial Calendars Coming Soon!
We know many of you have been waiting and we're pleased to announce that our calendars will be ready for sale next week! Watch your email and social media for the official announcement.
This year's calendar will feature twelve portraits from artist Niki Firmin that capture K-9 Heroes who have reached their End of Watch.
We are grateful for the excitement that you've communicated to us. Every calendar purchased goes towards supporting the retirement of our K-9 Heroes. This is our biggest fundraising item of the year, so please help spread the word!
PK9H Donates K-9 Jodi to Lapeer Community Schools
We’re proud to announce that, as part of our mission to raise awareness about the challenges retired working dogs face and to strengthen the communities they serve, we’ve donated $12,000 to Lapeer Community Schools in Michigan to help purchase and train K-9 Jodi.
Jodi's job will be to make her community safer. She'll be working to find and deter illegal firearms in schools throughout the Lapeer area. As a passive tracking dog, she will also assist in locating missing persons, including children, the elderly, and people with special needs.
Beyond the Bulldog Interview
Our Founder/CEO Jason Johnson was recently honored to be a guest on the “Beyond the Bulldog” podcast to share his passion about taking care of retired working dogs and the mission of Project K-9 Hero during his recent visit to Mack Trucks Global Headquarters in North Carolina.
We think they did a fantastic job capturing everything Jason wanted to say about our Capital Campaign, our work in Congress on the K-9 Hero Act, and some stories you may not have heard before about our Program Members.
NEW COLLECTION: National Ambassadors Apparel
The National Ambassadors Monumental Heroes Collection honors the extraordinary K-9 Heroes who have become the very face of Project K-9 Hero’s mission. Inspired by the iconic Mount Rushmore monument, this design reimagines greatness, not in stone, but in the steadfast loyalty, courage, and service of four incredible dogs: K-9 Flash, K-9 Axel, K-9 Yoube, and K-9 Rikki.
NEW ITEM:
K-9 Mattis Sherpa Blanket
Wrap yourself in warmth while honoring a true American Hero. The K-9 Mattis Sherpa Blanket combines plush comfort with lasting tribute, celebrating one of our nation’s most decorated Police Dogs.
This ultra-cozy blanket features a velvety smooth fleece front and a thick sherpa-lined backing that delivers two sides of unbelievable softness.
NEW ITEM: K-9 Mattis Legend T-Shirts
Honor the life and legacy of one of America’s most decorated Police Dogs with our K-9 Mattis “Legend” T-Shirt, created in tribute to a true Hero.
He will always be remembered.
May 28th, 2013 - August 9th, 2025
Kennel A Dedicated to NASC
Special thanks to NASC for their phenomenal support of our Heroes in 2025. In order to honor their incredibly generous $100,000 donation, Founder Jason Johnson personally installed a sign on Kennel A, which used to house MWD Rosso, in his honor.
The sign reads:
This Kennel is proudly sponsored by NASC in honor of Military Working Dog "Rosso" (T206).
We are so grateful for the support of NASC and their belief in our mission. Thank you, NASC!
To learn more about them, visit: https://www.nasc.cc/
November with Redbarn
Redbarn will be donating $5 to us from every 22-28 lb bag of dog food sold throughout the U.S. during the month of November.
Feed your dogs while helping our nation's retired K-9 heroes.
Prepare your shopping list for November now!
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.
Admitted to our program in September 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 Harry
Program Member #352
Please welcome K-9 “Harry” to our Project K-9 Hero Pack as our 352nd Program Member! Harry served as an ATF-Certified Accelerant Detection Canine with the State Fire Marshal’s Office in Maine from December of 2016, until November 30th, 2023.
Harry was deployed and worked at over 350 fire scenes throughout the Northeastern United States during his career, all throughout Maine and surrounding states. K-9 Harry has worked with multiple Fire and Law Enforcement agencies, conducting joint investigations. K-9 Harry was responsible locking up countless arsonists, after he searched fire scenes to find the accelerant(s) used to start the illegal fires.
WELCOME K-9 INDY
Program Member #353
Please welcome retired K-9 “Indy,” a Dual-Purpose Patrol/Narcotics Detection Dog, to the Project K-9 Hero Pack, as our 353rd Program Member, from the Trophy Club Police Department, Texas.
Indy, an eleven-year old German Shepherd, faithfully served his community for nine and a half years, certified in Narcotics Detection, Patrol Apprehension, Tracking, and SWAT. His deployments include assisting 38 other Law Enforcement agencies, and conducting over 50 public demonstrations for the local schools and children.
WELCOME K-9 FREDDIE
Program Member #354
Please welcome retired K-9 “Freddie” (B642) to the Project K-9 Hero Pack, as our 354th Program Member.
K-9 Freddie, a male Labrador Retriever, honorably served with the Nashville Airport Police Department and the Department of Homeland Security/Transportation Security Administration - TSA, for five years. K-9 Freddie was an exceptional Explosives Detection Canine, and performed his duties with distinction at the Nashville International Airport (BNA), as well as other high profile assignments across the United States.
WELCOME MWD CORADO
Program Member #355
Please welcome retired Military Working Dog (MWD) "Corado" (W504) to our Project K-9 Hero Pack as our 355th Program Member!
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 seperate occasions with three seperate handlers, earning the “Top Dog Award” in 2017.
It is with sadness that we let you know we lost two Pack Members in September 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.
K-9 Dexter
Program Member #283
It is with an extremely heavy heart that we share in the passing of our 283rd Program Member, K-9 Dexter. Dexter bravely served as a Certified Human Remains Detection K-9 from 2018 through 2024, with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
During his six years of service with the State of Texas, he deployed on 327 searches for human remains that ranged from natural disasters, to open water searches, to wilderness search and rescue operations. This included a flash flooding incident in Junction, Texas, an Amazon Plane crash in Anahuac, Texas, numerous homicide cases, and two high-profile Amber Alert cases. K-9 Dexter also deployed to Kentucky, Arkansas, and Oklahoma for federal cases, and has been accredited with 43 finds during his exemplary career.
Please take a moment to remember K-9 Dexter! PK9H was proud to protect you after all you have done to serve the United States of America.
February 13th, 2013 - September 11th, 2025
K-9 Appie
Program Member #299
It is with an extremely heavy heart that we share in the passing of Project K-9 Hero Program Member #299, K-9 Appie. He was laid to rest peacefully with dignity and honor in the presence of his Handler, Family, and Friends.
Appie bravely served as a Dual-Purpose Patrol/Narcotics Detection K-9, from 2017 through 2024, with Rutherford County Sheriff's Office, in Tennessee. During his seven years of service, Appie had multiple surrenders on tracks. His 2nd track of his career, he located a man with multiple aggravated kidnapping warrants that had been tracked by five other dogs earlier in the day. He had two street bites under gunfire and never hesitated.
Over the last year, Project K-9 Hero has been covering all of his office visits, diagnostic testing, medications, and treatments at 100%. This included water treadmill sessions, physical therapy, rehabilitation treatment packages, "Help Em Up" harness, a specialized cart for his rear legs and an MRI that was over $4,000. It was the least we can do for K-9 Appie, for dedicating his life to helping others.
Please take a moment to remember K-9 Appie, and keep his Handler in your thoughts. PK9H was honored to protect you after all you have done to serve Rutherford County, the State of Tennessee, and the United States of America
October 16th, 2016 - September 28th, 2025
