K-9 Sonya's Cancer Removal
Our 254th Program Member, K-9 Sonya, was diagnosed in her retirement with a very aggressive form of cancer that required immediate surgery and treatment. The costs were not covered by the government after her service was complete. Thanks to you, our donors, we were able to admit K-9 Sonya to our program and pay for her life-saving surgeries!
We teamed up with Dr. Melissa Parsons-Doherty, our newest Board Member, and her amazing team at The Woodlands/Pearland Animal Cancer and Referral Centers in Texas, to get K-9 Sonya the best medical care possible. Sonya had a total of four (4) cancerous lymph nodes surgically removed from her neck. She is in good spirits and recovering at home! We are hopeful that this procedure will allow her to spend many more days, months, and years with her family, who loves her so very much. They are grateful to our supporters for making this possible.Â
K-9 Sonya is an 11-year-old retired Explosives Detection Dog from the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG K-9). She is easily recognized by her alert attentive posture, fawn red coat, and an unmatched desire to work. She is a calm, affectionate Belgian Malinois who was devoted to her shipmates and her responsibilities as a vital component of security across the United States. Sonya has always overcome obstacles on land, sea, and in the air without quitting even when she experienced unease.
In her nine years of service, Sonya was assigned to two Duty Stations, Maritime Safety and Security Team (MSST) Seattle (2014-2018), and Maritime Security Response Team West (2018-2023). While assigned to MSST Seattle, and MSRT West, Sonya performed 5,000 hours of explosive detection, over 8,500 vehicle sweeps for the Washington State Ferries, the nation's largest ferry transportation system, securing the safety of 400,000 passengers. She also protected seven million fans working four Superbowls, the Rose Bowl, U.S Track and Field Olympics, U.S. World Athletics, SEAR Rated Event, multiple PGA Tournaments, dozens of Local Marathons, Concerts, and over 25 Call outs supporting Local Law Enforcement for Real Bomb Threats at residential, and federal buildings.
Most notably during her career, she assisted in security details for four U.S. Presidents, Diplomats, high-ranking dignitaries, and other World Leaders.
Our 254th Program Member, K-9 Sonya, was diagnosed in her retirement with a very aggressive form of cancer that required immediate surgery and treatment. The costs were not covered by the government after her service was complete. Thanks to you, our donors, we were able to admit K-9 Sonya to our program and pay for her life-saving surgeries!
We teamed up with Dr. Melissa Parsons-Doherty, our newest Board Member, and her amazing team at The Woodlands/Pearland Animal Cancer and Referral Centers in Texas, to get K-9 Sonya the best medical care possible. Sonya had a total of four (4) cancerous lymph nodes surgically removed from her neck. She is in good spirits and recovering at home! We are hopeful that this procedure will allow her to spend many more days, months, and years with her family, who loves her so very much. They are grateful to our supporters for making this possible.Â
K-9 Sonya is an 11-year-old retired Explosives Detection Dog from the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG K-9). She is easily recognized by her alert attentive posture, fawn red coat, and an unmatched desire to work. She is a calm, affectionate Belgian Malinois who was devoted to her shipmates and her responsibilities as a vital component of security across the United States. Sonya has always overcome obstacles on land, sea, and in the air without quitting even when she experienced unease.
In her nine years of service, Sonya was assigned to two Duty Stations, Maritime Safety and Security Team (MSST) Seattle (2014-2018), and Maritime Security Response Team West (2018-2023). While assigned to MSST Seattle, and MSRT West, Sonya performed 5,000 hours of explosive detection, over 8,500 vehicle sweeps for the Washington State Ferries, the nation's largest ferry transportation system, securing the safety of 400,000 passengers. She also protected seven million fans working four Superbowls, the Rose Bowl, U.S Track and Field Olympics, U.S. World Athletics, SEAR Rated Event, multiple PGA Tournaments, dozens of Local Marathons, Concerts, and over 25 Call outs supporting Local Law Enforcement for Real Bomb Threats at residential, and federal buildings.
Most notably during her career, she assisted in security details for four U.S. Presidents, Diplomats, high-ranking dignitaries, and other World Leaders.
Will you help us continue to care for K-9 Sonya's medical needs? Her current bills total over $5,070.24, with discounted care through Woodlands Animal Cancer and Referral Centers in Texas. She will continue to need follow-up appointments and supportive care throughout her life.
Thank you so much for all you do for our country's retired K-9 Heroes!Â
Will you help us continue to care for K-9 Sonya's medical needs? Her current bills total over $5,070.24, with discounted care through Woodlands Animal Cancer and Referral Centers in Texas. She will continue to need follow-up appointments and supportive care throughout her life.
Thank you so much for all you do for our country's retired K-9 Heroes!Â
K-9 Benefits for All Program Members
All Medical Costs & Food Covered
Every K-9 Hero in our program has their medical, 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?
K-9 Luna Needed $18,000 of Emergency Care
Luna is a nine year old Belgian Malinois from Holland that was a graduate of the Transportation Security Agency (TSA) National Explosive Detection Canine Program. Luna was stationed at U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team (MSST) Seattle. Luna routinely patrolled the expansive Washington State Ferry system in the Puget Sound area, conducting sweeps of hundreds of vehicles per day for vehicle-borne explosive devices.
One day, Luna began to show signs of distress. Doctors discovered an obstruction in her gastrointestinal tract. The surgery was in a high-risk category because of Luna’s developing pneumonia, high blood pressure, and other physiological risks. Her surgery required close-monitoring and precision in order to not further complicate her ailed state. Her medical fees began to add up, and her handler Elliott was unable to shoulder their burden without our financial assistance. Today, Luna is happy and well, thanks to the medical care she received. And now she's enjoying her much-deserved retirement!
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.
K-9 Luna Needed $18,000 of Emergency Care
Luna is a nine year old Belgian Malinois from Holland that was a graduate of the Transportation Security Agency (TSA) National Explosive Detection Canine Program. Luna was stationed at U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team (MSST) Seattle. Luna routinely patrolled the expansive Washington State Ferry system in the Puget Sound area, conducting sweeps of hundreds of vehicles per day for vehicle-borne explosive devices.
One day, Luna began to show signs of distress. Doctors discovered an obstruction in her gastrointestinal tract. The surgery was in a high-risk category because of Luna’s developing pneumonia, high blood pressure, and other physiological risks. Her surgery required close-monitoring and precision in order to not further complicate her ailed state. Her medical fees began to add up, and her handler Elliott was unable to shoulder their burden without our financial assistance. Today, Luna is happy and well, thanks to the medical care she received. And now she's enjoying her much-deserved retirement!
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.