Some of our nation’s security forces receive no benefits upon retirement-- K-9s. Twenty-eight retired K-9s are patients of McLean based 501c not for profit Paws of Honor, which pays 100 percent of its retired K-9s’ veterinary expenses. Paws of Honor opened six months ago, and according to the organization’s founder and president, Bod Youngblood, Paws of Honor expects to serve 60 to 80 dogs by the end of the year.
“We believe these pets should be taken care of and not just discarded at the end of their service life. I mean, they’ve been jumping out of planes, they’ve gone to Afghanistan. They’re tired, they’re sore, and they’re worn out,” Youngblood said.
Youngblood had the idea for Paws of Honor when he saw K-9s injured in the aftermath of the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon.
“They mostly came in with burnt paws. They had respiratory issues from the smoke and the jet fuel. They hadn’t been sleeping in two or three days,” Youngblood said.
Human officers receive benefits for their entire lives, whereas K-9s receive no benefits when their service is over. Without Paws of Honor, owners must choose to take on the financial burden, give away their partner or euthanize it.
Youngblood estimated each retired K-9 costs on average $1000 per year in veterinary expenses. The K-9s live on average two to three years after retirement.
K-9s participating in Paws of Honor have worked for the CIA, FBI, Pentagon, Secret Service, Homeland Security and state police forces.
“They keep our soldiers safe,” Vice President of Paws of Honor and COO of Old Dominion Health Center Cassie Browne said. Youngblood said retired K-9s at Paws of Honor have done multiple war tours, jumped out of planes and automobiles, parachuted and searched for explosives.
One retired K-9 in the program is Buddy, owned by his former partner, Detective for the Loudon County Sheriff Department, David Orr. Orr worked as an Explosives Detection Canine Handler for Loudon County from May 2012 until Buddy retired in 2016 at six-and-a-half years old due to seizures.
“What [Paws of Honor does] is invaluable. I don’t know of any departments that actually cover any medical expenses for K-9s when they retire. And that’s where Paws of Honor comes in to fill that void,” Orr said.
Youngblood hopes Congress will extend health care benefits to retired K-9s, but until then Paws of Honor needs to raise enough funds to care for its patients.
Paws of Honor is based in McLean in Old Dominion Animal Health Center, which has donated space and veterinarians. Paws of Honor is seeking donations. Without further donations, the organization may be forced to turn away retired K-9s. Paws of Honor plans to hold fundraisers where the public will be able to meet some of the retired K-9s and see them perform tricks. Tickets will be on sale in August. Paws of Honor also receives donations at www.pawsofhonor.org and features photos and background stories on some of its K-9s.