Here we honor the Sacrifice, courage and quiet strength of working dogs around the world. we celebrate their service and the mission that drives us forward.
K9 Dennis
This video contains graphic content. Viewer discretion is advised.
On December 3, 2020, K9 Dennis, his handler, and other officers of Phoenix Police Department were tasked with clearing an apartment during a homocide investigation. As Dennis led the team on the search, he turned down the hallway with officers close behind him. Once he did, multiple shots were fired from the suspect, striking K-9 Dennis in the face and chest.
Officer Happeny, Dennis's handler, rushed him to the ER vet where he was treated and then later transfered to another veterinarian for more indepth care.
K-9 Dennis took the bullets that would have otherwise hit the human officers, if they had rounded the corner before Dennis. The bravery K9 Dennis showed that night, undoubtedly saved the lives of his human partners. Due to the quick thinking of his handler, and the veterinary care he received, Dennis was able to return to work in January 2021, even though shrapnel remains in his body.
The man that shot Dennis and shot at Officers was eliminated on the scene that night.
Dennis worked for two more years, until recently retiring in late 2023, totaling over 500 deployments, that resulted in locating over 100 suspects, and compiling over 25 apprehensions during his career.
Since this event Officer Happeny, his family and unit have assisted non-profit agencies in making sure all of the K9s in their area received K9 Storm Inc vests. Helping vest over 100 K9s in Arizona alone.
Dennis' story touches on several important legislative issues that we will be addressing. From crime scene transport, to the penalties for harming a law enforcement K9 and the costs of caring for a retired K9. We look forward to working with LE agencies, our non-profit partners and the AZ legislature to address this important issues.
K9 Dozer
This video contains graphic content. Viewer discretion is advised.
On August 4, 2023 Sgt Teddy Vanvliet & K9 Dozer of the Grand Rapids Police Department were slowly moving through an intersection on responding to a call when vehicle intentionally struck them going 75 MPH. The police vehicle was totaled, while K9 Dozer's kennel was crushed causing him to flee the vehicle. Dragging himself across the concrete since he could not move his back legs. Teddy was pinned inside, urgently trying to free himself to get to Dozer.
The driver and passengers of the vehicle that hit K9 Dozer's SUV all fled the scene. As Teddy was pinned inside and injured Dozer dragged himself around Teddy's vehicle, Teddy was able to call another K9 handler was close by when the accident occurred, and this handler was able to secure Dozer and rush him to the emergency vet for treatment. It took hours for Teddy to be freed from his vehicle.
Teddy sustained minor injuries, however, Dozer sustained very serious injuries to his back legs, rendering him immobile. You can see this clearly at the end of the video.
And it was at that moment, life changed for both of them.
Today, Dozer is retired and lives with Teddy and his family. But he never regained full use of his legs or his ability to go to the bathroom regularly. He is not in pain—but this is his life now. At just 4 yrs old, his service ended. And Teddy, like so many handlers, will care for him until his last day.
Beyond the emotional trauma, there’s the financial & physical toll on the handler—and their family. From training w/ a new K9 partner to managing daily care for a permanently disabled one, the burden can be staggering. And once a K9 retires, all costs fall on the handler. Every. Single. One. And let's face it, we cannot depend on a handful of amazing non-profits to care for every single retired working dog by themselves.
Thankfully, Project K9 Hero has stepped in to cover Dozer’s care for the rest of his life. But what about the dogs who have no one?
No handler should have to decide if their partner lives or dies based on cost.
We’re working at the state and federal level to change that. To make sure handlers have the necessary resources to care for their retired dogs and to push for harsher penalties for those who harm working dogs.
We are going to give a voice to those who might not otherwise have one. We are going to fight for Teddy and Dozer, as well as for all of you.
Stay tuned. This is just the beginning.
K9 Coba
This video contains graphic content. Viewer discretion is advised.
On June 11, 2024, K9 Coba, a four-year-old Belgian Malinois with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), was killed in the line of duty while serving a felony arrest warrant in Newberry County. Alongside his handler, Special Agent Richard “Cole” Powell, Coba was assisting a multi-agency task force attempting to apprehend a dangerous fugitive who was actively evading law enforcement.
As officers approached the residence where the suspect was believed to be hiding, it became clear he was inside and attempting to flee. When Coba and his team entered the hallway, Coba was sent to apprehend the suspect who was believed to be unarmed. However, after Coba engaged the suspects forearm, the suspect pulled a firearm and shot Coba at close range.
Coba, true to his training and instincts, placed himself between the danger and his team. He was struck by gunfire while protecting the officers behind him. Deputies returned fire and subdued the suspect, but Coba's wounds proved fatal. He passed away shortly after being rushed to a veterinary trauma center.
Coba died as he lived, a hero, in every sense of the word. All of his human counterparts went home to their families that day because of Coba’s loyalty and sacrifice.
Agent Powell recalls his final moments with Coba:
“The last thing I ever said to him was, ‘I love you, thank you.’ I held his face in my hands in the back of our patrol vehicle, as he lay dying. And I hope, somewhere deep down, he knew what he had done mattered.”
Coba’s legacy lives on in the Powell’s home, in his children’s voices when they say Coba’s name, and now here, as part of the Global Working Dog Consortium’s story.
K9 Nate
This video contains graphic content. Viewer discretion is advised.
On Jan 22, 2022, Senior Officer Foster & K9 Nate of the Houston PD were called to assist patrol in tracking a fleeing suspect believed to be unarmed. K9 Nate soon picked up the suspect scent and located him entering a residential backyard. Officer Foster and Nate followed the suspect into the backyard and he was ordered to stop.
The suspect began to run, given he was in a highly populated residential area, Nate was sent to stop the man with Ofc Foster close behind. As Nate made contact with the suspect, the suspect pulled out a large sharp object and stabbed Nate in his chest. The blade went 9 inches into Nate's chest. Ofc Foster was able to recall Nate, who was still holding onto the suspect. Nate returned to his handler, wanted back in the fight, and then collapsed.
Ofc Foster scooped up his dog and brought him to his vehicle, which was close, and immediately packed Nate's chest wound with gauze and ran him code to Vergi 24 ER Vet where he was rushed into surgery. During the less than 10-minute time frame from Nate being stabbed to arriving at the ER vet, he had lost more than half of his body's blood volume.
Nate was rushed into surgery and survived his nearly fatal wound. As a result of Ofc Foster's quick thinking and the exceptional vet care provided by Vergi, Nate survived and was able to return to work a couple of months later.
As for the suspect, he was arrested after stabbing Nate, yet bonded out a few hours later. Less than 24 hours later, the suspect killed his father and was arrested again.
In March 2025 the suspect was found guilty of murder and sentenced to life, however, he was NOT charged, nor convicted of stabbing K9 Nate. While some will say it doesn't matter since he will spend his life in prison, we disagree. We also find it quite disconcerting that a man who stabbed a police K9 while fleeing arrest was out on bond only a few hours later.
Nate continues to serve the citizens of Houston by the side of Officer Foster, making a huge impact on his community.
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For those who serve in silence, we will always be their voice.
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