K-9 Pito's Emergency Surgery
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K-9 Pito came to our Rehabilitation & Rehab facility in Whitwell, TN in 2023. We matched him with our 2023 Volunteer of the Year, Mike Stanton, a Vietnam Veteran and decorated Scout Dog Handler for "Chief X463." Watch our video documenting their meeting.
They've been living happily together during Pito's retirement, but recently, Pito required serious medical care. On January 14th, he saw his vet and was pointed to Oakland Veterinary Referral Services for swelling and lameness in his rear leg.
He required hospitalization, a CT scan, and surgery for what turned out to be an infection in the joint, and even with their generous 10% discount for working dogs, Pito's total medical bills cost $15,497.75, which we were honored to pay. Â
Pito is currently at home recovering and, because of your support, was able to get the care he needed.
If you would like to donate to help other dogs like K-9 Pito have their medical care covered, you may donate here. We would greatly appreciate it!
K-9 Pito came to our Rehabilitation & Rehab facility in Whitwell, TN in 2023. We matched him with our 2023 Volunteer of the Year, Mike Stanton, a Vietnam Veteran and decorated Scout Dog Handler for "Chief X463." Watch our video documenting their meeting.
They've been living happily together during Pito's retirement, but recently, Pito required serious medical care. On January 14th, he saw his vet and was pointed to Oakland Veterinary Referral Services for swelling and lameness in his rear leg.
He required hospitalization, a CT scan, and surgery for what turned out to be an infection in the joint, and even with their generous 10% discount for working dogs, Pito's total medical bills cost $15,497.75, which we were honored to pay. Â
Pito is currently at home recovering and, because of your support, was able to get the care he needed.
If you would like to donate to help other dogs like K-9 Pito have their medical care covered, you may donate here. We would greatly appreciate it!
K-9 Pito served as a Dual-Purpose Patrol/Explosive Detection K-9 within the U.S. Department of Defense Intelligence Community for a Federal Police Agency. For the past four years, Pito has provided critical Explosive Detection K-9 expertise in support of National Security at the highest of levels. He was matched with Vietnam Veteran Mike Stanton through our organization after the passing of Mike's dog MWD Dzina. They are happily living together in Michigan.
K-9 Pito's Bio
K-9 Pito served as a Dual-Purpose Patrol/Explosive Detection K-9 within the U.S. Department of Defense Intelligence Community for a Federal Police Agency. For the past four years, Pito has provided critical Explosive Detection K-9 expertise in support of National Security at the highest of levels. He was matched with Vietnam Veteran Mike Stanton through our organization after the passing of Mike's dog MWD Dzina. They are happily living together in Michigan.
As of February 14, 2025, Project K-9 Hero has paid $15,497.75 for K-9 Pito just for this treatment, and $51,253.20 since he joined our program in March of 2023.
By contributing, you help ensure Pito and others get the life-saving treatment they need.
Thank you for helping us give Pito the chance at more time with his family.
As of February 14, 2025, Project K-9 Hero has paid $15,497.75 for K-9 Pito just for this treatment, and $51,253.20 since he joined our program in March of 2023.
By contributing, you help ensure Pito and others get the life-saving treatment they need.
Thank you for helping us give Pito the chance at more time with his family.
K-9 Benefits for All Program Members
All Medical Costs & Prescription Food Covered
Every K-9 Hero in our program has their medical, prescription food, and end-of-duty services costs covered by us for the rest of their lives. This amounts to an average of $4,000 per year per member, but that's just an average. Many of our dogs have special medical needs brought on by the rigors of their training and service to our country, so their medical costs are far more each month. And we often cover $10,000 medical bills for emergencies like the story you read about above.
Rehabilitation & Rehoming Facility
In addition to the hundreds of dogs in our program who still live with their families and handlers, we also house several Heroes at our Whitwell, TN Rehab and Rehoming Facility. Some of them are there temporarily, some of them will remain with us for life. All of them require the same costly medical care and that our regular Program Members need, but also require specialized staff and trainers to meet the very special needs each one of them has due to their service.
End-of-Duty Services
With great sadness, we realize that every Hero's watch will come to an end. We make sure that each dog in our program has those costs covered, as well, so that their families can focus on themselves and their grief rather than the costs that come with euthanasia and burial services. Although a K-9 Hero's passing is never easy, we do what we can to bring comfort to our Heroes and their families when the time comes.
WE CANNOT DO THIS WITHOUT YOU
Your support is the only way that we can continue our work. You are the reason these K-9 Heroes can retire in comfort, with dignity and medical coverage.
Will you help?
MWD Rroddie Needs Monthly Medical Care
During Rroddie’s eight-year career, he was attached to multiple U.S. Army Special Forces Teams (ODA) while in Afghanistan. Rroddie also served with the Special OperationsTask Force 1 in Iraq. He completed over two dozen USSS (Secret Service) missions, both internationally and domestically, and was responsible for protecting the President of the United States
in Montenegro, Chile, Columbia, the Philippines, Korea, and in countless cities across the USA!
In retirement, MWD Rroddie has been diagnosed with Vestibular Syndrome (seizures), and underwent a Splenectomy due to a large mass found on his spleen. The expensive veterinary visits and prescription medications will not be covered by the Government or the U.S. Military. So far, the cost for Rroddie's surgeries and care has been thousands of dollars and continues to grow each month. This is an extreme expense that we at PK9H feel shouldn’t be left solely on his handler, who is currently trying to transition from his military career to his new civilian job. Our nonprofit organization has been and will continue to provide for this K-9 Hero at 100% for the remainder of his life.
K-9 Mattis Needed $8,000 of Emergency Care
K-9 Mattis is well known across Tik Tok and Instagram for his antics with his handler Mark. His friendly nature makes him a wonderful ambassador to the public, and Mark often takes Mattis out to meet adults and children to talk about how Project K-9 Hero has helped them have more years together. Â
In 2022, Mattis suddenly fell ill. Mark was told he had bloat and that he may not survive the night. Our founder called the veterinarians and told them to do whatever they had to to save Mattis. All the medical burden was removed from Mark's shoulders, and he was able to focus on his best friend. Mattis survived and continues to do his important outreach in the communities talking about how necessary Police K-9s are in keeping our citizens safe.
MWD Rroddie Needs Monthly Medical Care
During Rroddie’s eight-year career, he was attached to multiple U.S. Army Special Forces Teams (ODA) while in Afghanistan. Rroddie also served with the Special OperationsTask Force 1 in Iraq. He completed over two dozen USSS (Secret Service) missions, both internationally and domestically, and was responsible for protecting the President of the United States
in Montenegro, Chile, Columbia, the Philippines, Korea, and in countless cities across the USA!
In retirement, MWD Rroddie has been diagnosed with Vestibular Syndrome (seizures), and underwent a Splenectomy due to a large mass found on his spleen. The expensive veterinary visits and prescription medications will not be covered by the Government or the U.S. Military. So far, the cost for Rroddie's surgeries and care has been thousands of dollars and continues to grow each month. This is an extreme expense that we at PK9H feel shouldn’t be left solely on his handler, who is currently trying to transition from his military career to his new civilian job. Our nonprofit organization has been and will continue to provide for this K-9 Hero at 100% for the remainder of his life.
K-9 Mattis Needed $8,000 of Emergency Care
K-9 Mattis is well known across Tik Tok and Instagram for his antics with his handler Mark. His friendly nature makes him a wonderful ambassador to the public, and Mark often takes Mattis out to meet adults and children to talk about how Project K-9 Hero has helped them have more years together. Â
In 2022, Mattis suddenly fell ill. Mark was told he had bloat and that he may not survive the night. Our founder called the veterinarians and told them to do whatever they had to to save Mattis. All the medical burden was removed from Mark's shoulders, and he was able to focus on his best friend. Mattis survived and continues to do his important outreach in the communities talking about how necessary Police K-9s are in keeping our citizens safe.