Please Welcome K-9 Rush!

Today, we at Project K-9 Hero, inducted our 261st Program Member, K-9 Rush. Take a moment to learn more about him below!

K-9 Rush served as a “Live Find” Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) K-9 with the FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency, assigned to Ohio Task Force 1. Rush stayed active as a USAR K-9 for an amazing 15 years of service, recently retiring in October at 16 years of age!

During his long and distinguished career, Rush has deployed to multiple incidents all over the United States. Including numerous hurricane responses, tornadoes, and wilderness searches. He has been a valuable resource for county, state, and federal agencies nationally.

Some of Rush’s notable missions include: Hurricane Irene in 2011 which impacted Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey; He also responded to Tornadoes that affected Mississippi, Tennessee, and Georgia; Hurricane Matthew in North Carolina in 2016; Hurricane Michael in Florida In 2018, Hurricanes Laura and Delta in 2020 in Louisiana; and at the age of 15 he deployed to Hurricane Ian in Florida (2022) looking for survivors in the aftermath.

All of Rush’s hard work did not come without sacrifice, suffering a crushed vertebrae during his career that is now greatly affecting his rear legs. Regardless of Rush’s exemplary service to the American Public around the nation, all of his medical costs are now the responsibility of his handler since he has retired. Thankfully, PK9HERO will now be covering all of his future office visits, medications, and surgeries at 100%, for the rest of his life.

Please take a moment today to welcome K-9 Rush to the Pack! PK9H is here to protect you after all you have done to serve the United States of America .