Please Welcome K-9 Spot #380

Please welcome retired K-9 “Spot” (Y574) to the Project K-9 Hero Pack, as our 380th Program Member.

K-9 Spot is an 11 1/2-year-old, male German Shorthaired Pointer, who honorably served with the Department of Homeland Security/Transportation Security Administration - TSA, for seven years. K-9 Spot was an exceptional Passenger Screening Canine for Explosives Detection, and performed his duties with distinction at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport, in Houston, Texas, the Denver International Airport, in Colorado, and finished his career at the Detroit Metro Airport (DTW), in Michigan.

K-9 Spot retired with his actively serving K-9 Handler, and USMC Military Working Dog Veteran, who also had K-9 Houdini (PK9H #148) in our program for many years. Spot and Houdini were able to spend some of their retirement days together until Houdini passed last year in June of 2025.

For the last two years, Spot was doing great in retirement with no issues, until a recent veterinary appointment revealed he had several lumps that needed a biopsy and immediate removal. Spot has also lost his appetite, has had frequent vomiting, and is need of internal diagnostic testing to determine if any of the masses are on his organs.

Now that Spot is retired, his medical care is no longer covered by the agency he served. These costs are extremely expensive, and for the last month his handler has not been receiving a paycheck from the government, but has been required to work each day with their newly assigned K-9 protecting the American Public.

This is causing an extreme financial hardship on his Handler, who is the primary provider for her family and children. We understand that the cost of veterinary care is expensive, especially for an active government employed family, who is not currently receiving their deserved pay. The very last thing we at Project K-9 Hero want to see is Spot go without the medical assistance he needs because his bills were not affordable.