LIFE FORCE Air Medical Becomes First EMS Agency in Tennessee and Fifth Air Medical Program in the Nation to Transport Critically Ill or Injured Working K-9s

Project K-9 Hero's Founder/CEO speaks at the press conference on June 3, 2025.

CHATTANOOGA, TENN. – Erlanger LIFE FORCE Air Medical proudly announces a groundbreaking achievement in emergency medical services. LIFE FORCE is now the first EMS agency in Tennessee and the fifth air medical program in the nation equipped and trained to transport critically ill or injured working K-9s. This milestone represents a significant advancement in the care and support of our brave K-9s serving in law enforcement and military operations.

With this new capability, LIFE FORCE sets a new standard in emergency medical transport, ensuring highly trained and valuable K-9s receive the same level of care as their human counterparts. This process involves rigorous training and specialized equipment modifications to ensure the safety and well-being of the K-9s during transport.

“We are proud to lead this critical development in emergency medical services by expanding our capabilities to include caring for K-9 officers, demonstrating our commitment to first responders and raising the standard of pre-hospital care in the state,” said Stacy Prater, Outreach Education Coordinator and Flight Paramedic with LIFE FORCE. “These K-9s are essential to public safety and deserve the highest level of care. By transporting them swiftly and safely in critical situations, we will help save their lives and ensure they can continue their vital work,” he further added.

Over the next few months, LIFE FORCE flight crews will undergo extensive training in K-9 emergency care, response, and safe transport practices. This training will cover handling techniques, recognizing signs of distress in K-9s, and administering appropriate medical interventions during flight. The aircraft will also be equipped with specialized gear such as muzzles, oxygen masks, restraint systems, and other necessary equipment to ensure the K-9s’ comfort and safety. Additionally, LIFE FORCE will train local and regional law enforcement agencies on the transport process.

LIFE FORCE will transport the K-9 and the handler (human-partner) to one of several pre-designated veterinary hospitals. These designated hospitals specialize in emergency and advanced veterinary medicine and are open 24 hours a day, have board-certified surgical and/or critical care specialist veterinarians on staff, and have life-support equipment such as ventilators and banked blood for transfusions. “This is just very much like human medicine, where a severe trauma patient would be sent to a Level 1 Trauma Center rather than be transported to a closer or smaller medical facility that may not have the capabilities to care for that patient,” said Richard Wearing DVM, Veterinary Medical Director for LIFE FORCE.

LIFE FORCE has a long-standing commitment to providing exceptional medical care and transport services. This new capability is a testament to their dedication to innovation and excellence in emergency medical services. The initiative has been met with enthusiastic support from local law enforcement agencies, veterinary professionals from across the State of Tennessee, and other emergency medical personnel.

“Law enforcement and military K-9s perform critical roles in public safety, including searching for narcotics and aiding in the apprehension of suspects. To their handlers and those who work with them every day, they are not just dogs, but partners and heroes. Given the high risk of injury in their work, having this critical transport option available greatly increases their chances of survival when a serious injury occurs. I commend LIFE FORCE for their commitment to public safety and for ensuring our region’s K-9s receive the best possible care in their time of need,” stated Sheriff Austin Garrett.

“Project K-9 Hero is honored to be involved in this effort led by LIFE FORCE to get active working dogs the critical medical assistance they deserve when they are risking their own lives, without hesitation or reservation, to protect our communities and the citizens of the State of Tennessee. This new program will help ensure that emergency medical teams are prepared to transport and treat an injured K-9, when seconds matter the most. This is something that we as an organization fight for on the national level, and this announcement will help us further the establishment of similar programs across the country,” stated Jason Johnson – Founder/CEO of Project K-9 Hero

LIFE FORCE would also like to thank all the organizations and agencies that have helped with the development of this groundbreaking achievement: Project K9 Hero, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit and Chattanooga Police Department K-9 Unit.

For more information about LIFE FORCE Air Medical and their new K-9 transport capabilities, please visit http://www.lifeforceairmedical.com.