Workings dogs are more than just man’s best friend for soldiers serving overseas or police officers.
They serve side-by-side with their handlers in the harshest conditions and sometimes can sacrifice themselves to save their handler’s life.
For the dogs who can retire from active service, K9 Hero Haven, a non-profit organization in Northumberland County, is dedicated to helping them make that transition, and sometimes pair the dogs with their original handler.
Owner Anne Gibbs adopted her first working dog, Sheera, about seven years ago. That made her realize other dogs needed a life after finishing their service.
“I fell in love with the dogs and what they do,” she said. “They’re amazing, and they’re phenomenal dogs.”
After adopting Sheera, Gibbs started a retirement home for service dogs and began adopting them out in August 2015. The operation, located in Herndon, has grown ever since. It can now house around 45 dogs.
To date, K9 Hero Haven has placed more than 250 retired working dogs into homes.
“I’m trying to make a habit of never trying to say no,” she said. “I help every working K9 that needs help.”
Gibbs explained that given the nature and background of the dogs she receives, her organization’s primary mission is to adopt them to combat veterans to develop a “veteran-to-veteran” program.
She added that reuniting a dog with the soldier or officer it worked with in the field is especially rewarding.
“That moment where you put them together, and the K9 recognizes them, it’s just so beautiful to see,” she said. “It just so phenomenal to see them put back together.”
Two reunion stories where handlers were reunited with their dogs helped K9 Hero Haven win a grant to help expand operations even further.
Two adopters told stories about their adoptions and how it changed their lives and submitted them for a chance to earn a Petco Foundation Holiday Wishes grant. Both stories were selected, winning K9 Hero Haven a $10,000 grant award.
Gibbs said her organization, which relies solely on volunteers and donated items, will use the money to build an additional building to give some of the more difficult dogs who can’t be adopted a place to live.
“When we receive a grant like that, it is a huge help toward projects here and expanding and trying to give the dogs the best that we can give them," she said. “It’s going to help us a huge amount.”
How you can help
Those interested in adopting a dog from K9 Hero Haven can find an adoption application on its website, along with more information about the process.
K9 Hero Haven’s most significant expenses are vet bills. You can contribute directly to them by making donations to K9 Hero Haven’s account at Sunbury Animal Hospital, located at 3920 State Route 890, Sunbury, PA 17801. The hospital’s phone number is 570-286-5131.
K9 Hero Haven also collects Purina receipts for dried dog food, which also helps with vet costs. Those can be mailed directly to K9 Hero Haven at 176 Mahanoy Creek Lane, Herndon, PA 17830.
You can also make donations using PayPal, or use Amazon Smile to donate 0.5 percent of the purchase price from eligible purchases to K9 Hero Haven.
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