Global Working Dog Consortium

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Global Working Dog Consortium

IRS recognized 501(c)(4) nonprofit advancing the welfare, protection and recognition of working dog teams through legislation, advocacy and education.

We are giving a voice to those who serve in silence.

06/03/2026

A Gift in My Dad's Memory Helped Save K9 Digo's Life
Shortly after my Dad passed away on June 30, 2024, my friends at called and said they would like to donate a vest in my Dad's honor. They asked me who I would like to donate the vest to and I immediately said K9 Digo of the Grand Rapids Police Department.

At the time, it felt like an incredibly thoughtful way to keep a small part of my Dad's legacy alive. None of us could have imagined just how important that gift would become nearly 2 years later.

On Sunday, K9 Digo was stabbed three times while apprehending an armed suspect. According to those involved, two of those wounds struck Digo's ballistic vest. The vest stopped the knife from penetrating, and it is now being credited with preventing two potentially fatal injuries and saving Digo's life.

It's still hard for me to wrap my head around. The vest donated in memory of my Dad is the vest Digo was wearing when he was stabbed.

For nearly two years, Digo wore that vest every shift without incident. Like most protective equipment, we hope it never has to do its job. On Sunday, it did exactly what it was designed to do.

Two years ago, we were simply trying to honor my Dad and protect a police dog. On Sunday, that protection was put to the test.

My Dad loved working dogs. When Grand Rapids Sgt Teddy VanVliet and K9 Dozer were involved in their devastating crash, my Dad called me almost daily asking for updates on both Teddy & Dozer. He genuinely cared about them. When Digo received this vest, I remember saying I couldn't think of a more fitting team for my Dad to help protect.

Looking back, those words feel different.
I often wonder if my Dad would believe this story if I told it to him. That a vest donated in his memory helped save the life of a police dog he knew by name.

To Sgt. VanVliet and Digo, thank you for carrying my Dad's memory with you every shift.

And to Jim, Glori, Riley, and Jessica Slater of K9 Storm Inc., thank you for making this possible. Your generosity didn't just honor my Dad's memory. It protected a police K9's when he needed it most.

Some gifts have a lasting impact.
This one helped save a life and I am grateful.

06/02/2026

CCPD: Update at 12:45 a.m. June 1
Chesterfield County (VA) Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred on Sunday, May 31, 2026.

At about 4:40 p.m. on May 31, police responded to a reported shooting in the 12900 block of Gumfork Place. The adult female complainant said an adult male, who is known to her, had fired shots inside the residence during a domestic disturbance. The woman reported she was now in an upstairs bedroom, and the suspect was trying to get into the room.

Uniformed officers entered the residence and the suspect, who was armed with a long gun, fired multiple shots at them. Two officers and a police canine were shot; the officers and the police canine were transported to area medical facilities. The officers remain hospitalized in critical but stable conditions. The police canine, Knight, died as a result of his injuries.

The suspect was also injured in the incident and was transported to an area hospital. The incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information should contact the at 804-748-1251 or Crime Solvers at 804-748-0660.

🇺🇸Today, we honor and remember K-9 Knight 🇺🇸
A 5-year-old German Shepherd/Malinois mix from Slovakia, Knight faithfully served alongside his handler, Cpl. John Walsh, for the past four years. Together, they formed an unbreakable bond built on trust, loyalty and a shared commitment to protecting our community.

Throughout his career, Knight assisted in numerous operations involving tracking and apprehension, helping officers safely carry out their mission and return home to their families.

Knight was named after the knights of old who lived by a code: protecting others through honor and bravery. He embodied that spirit every day he wore the badge.

Knight’s legacy will live on through the lives he touched, the officers he served beside and the community he helped protect.

Knight is survived by his handler, Cpl. John Walsh, his family, and the many members of our department who were fortunate enough to know and work alongside him.

Thank you for your service, Knight. We will never forget your sacrifice.

EOW: 5-31-2026

05/31/2026

🚨 BREAKING NEWS: Grand Rapids PD K9 Digo Stabbed 3 Times Today

This afternoon police received a call from a family saying they were being held at knife point by another family member. When officers arrived, they say the man threw a Molotov cocktail at them and it ignited on a police cruiser. They say they tried to negotiate with the man, but he ran from the scene still carrying the knife.

At that point, the man tried to carjack someone at knife point, but was not successful. Then he tried to run into another home. The situation was escalating quickly. Police used non-lethal rounds to stop the suspect but the man was unphased.

K9 Digo was deployed as yet another less lethal option. As Digo apprehended the suspect by the leg, the man stabbed him 3 times. Twice on his body and once in the head. Thankfully Digo had on his K9 Storm Patrol SWAT ballistic vest. And the vest stopped the knife.

K9 Digo did sustain head wounds, but was stitched up and recovering as I type this update.

The suspect then tried to break into another house, but when he was unsuccessful he turned and ran at officers brandishing the knife. A single officer opened fire and neutralized the threat. The suspect was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Unfortunately most news outlets in Grand Rapids are reporting this incident quite differently, but we wanted you to know what actually happened.

This is an ongoing investigation and we will release more details as the handler and department see fit.

Please keep K9 Digo, Sgt VanVliet, the VanVliet family in your thoughts and prayers.

⚠️ We will be doing another post tomorrow with more details about K9 Digo, his condition and other facts. ⚠️

05/29/2026

🛡️ K9 Robby of the Humble Texas Police Department has been vested! 🛡

K9 Robby is now protected with a brand new K9 Storm Inc Patrol/SWAT ballistic vest thanks to the incredible generosity of On Site Towing. 🇺🇸

Every time Robby deploys, he runs toward danger without hesitation to protect his handler and the community he serves. Thanks to the support of Mark and On Site Towing, he now has an added layer of life-saving protection while carrying out that mission.

vests are custom-made for each individual dog and designed to be worn comfortably throughout an entire shift. These vests are bullet and stab resistant, help protect against penetrating injuries, and even provide flotation capability should a K9 enter the water during an operation and are the highest on the market!

These vests are more than equipment. They are protection for a partner, a family member, and a dog willing to give everything in service to others.

To Mark and everyone at On Site Towing, thank you for stepping up to help protect K9 Robby. Your generosity will make a difference every time he deploys, and your commitment to supporting law enforcement K9s is helping ensure this remarkable dog returns home safely at the end of his shift. 🐾

Because the dogs who protect us deserve protection too.

🇺🇸 If you are interested in sponsoring a vest please send us a DM or email us at [email protected].

🚨If you would like to donate and help protect a K9 on our waiting list please use the link in our bio or visit:

https://www.globalworkingdog.org/donate

05/26/2026

They serve in silence, but they stand on the front lines with their handlers every day.

South Carolina has officially enacted Fargo’s, Hyco’s, Rico’s, Coba’s, Wick’s, and Mikka’s Law, strengthening penalties for anyone who intentionally harms or kills law enforcement K-9s and horses.

The new law also creates a felony offense for shooting into a vehicle transporting these animals and requires convicted offenders to pay restitution for training, veterinary care, and replacement costs.

These K-9s and horses put themselves in harm’s way to protect officers and the communities they serve. This law ensures they receive the protection they deserve.

Credit: Global Working Dog (used for informational purposes)

05/25/2026

Once again, we pause to reflect on the true cost of freedom. To remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice and demonstrated unmeasurable valor. Because the brave may fall, but they never yield.

"Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it. It flies with the last breath of each soldier who died protecting it." 🇺🇸

05/22/2026

An unbreakable bond built on loyalty and carried by trust.

05/21/2026

Morning Views ☕️

05/15/2026

🚨 SOUTH CAROLINA H.B. 3034 HAS PASSED 🚨

UPDATE: THE GOVERNOR HAS OFFICIALLY SIGNED THE BILL INTO LAW‼️

“Fargo’s, Hyco’s, Rico’s, Coba’s, Wick’s, and Mikka’s Law” has officially passed the South Carolina General Assembly and is awaiting signature by the Governor, which is scheduled to occur on June 3rd.

This legislation strengthens protections for South Carolina law enforcement K9s and horses by:

⚖️ Increasing criminal penalties for intentionally injuring or killing a police K9 or horse.

⚖️ Misdemeanor Offenses
It is now unlawful to willfully and maliciously:
• taunt
• torment
• tease
• beat
• strike
• drug
• interfere with
• meddle with
a law enforcement K9 or horse, including when the animal is off duty in a kennel or stable.

Penalty:
• Fine up to $1,000
• Up to 1 year imprisonment
• Or both

⚖️ Felony Offenses: Injuring or Killing a Police K9/Horse
It is now a felony to willfully and maliciously:
• torture
• mutilate
• injure
• disable
• poison
• kill
a law enforcement K9 or horse, including while off duty.

Penalty:
• Fine between $2,000 and $20,000
• Up to 15 years imprisonment

⚖️ New Felony: Shooting Into a Vehicle or Trailer Carrying a K9/Horse
The law also created a separate felony offense for:
• shooting into a vehicle or trailer while a police K9 or horse is inside.

Penalty:
• Fine up to $1,000
• Up to 5 years imprisonment

⚖️ Mandatory Restitution
In addition to criminal penalties, courts must now order convicted offenders to pay restitution covering:
• replacement costs
• training costs
• veterinary expenses
• restoration costs
for the injured or killed law enforcement animal.

⚖️ Additional Final Provisions
The final law also:
• extends protections to K9s and horses while off duty,
• preserves the legal defense of self-defense,
• and authorizes certain State Accident Fund expenditures related to injured or killed law enforcement canines.

THANK YOU to every handler, officer, advocate, organization, legislator, and member of the public who spent the last 18 months emailing, calling, sharing posts, testifying, and fighting for stronger protections in South Carolina. Your voices mattered.

A special thank you to the members of the South Carolina House and Senate who stood behind this legislation and recognized the sacrifices these animals make every single day.

Thank you all for speaking up and giving a voice to those who serve in silence! Amazing things cam happen when we all work together.

05/12/2026

Officer Don "DJ" Keller
End of Watch: May 11, 2026

Yesterday, Greenwood Police Department K9 Handler Don “DJ” Keller was killed in the line of duty while serving and protecting his community. He was only 31 years old.

According to officials, Officer Keller and his K9 partner, Vice, were responding to assist during a pursuit involving a vehicle connected to prior shooting-related incidents. During the chase, the fleeing vehicle driven by a 15 year old male crossed into oncoming traffic and struck Officer Keller’s patrol vehicle head-on. Officer Keller was pronounced deceased at the scene. His K9 partner survived the crash.

Officer Keller was an Army veteran, a member of the South Carolina National Guard, a husband, a father to a 2 year old daughter and a dedicated law enforcement officer who had recently become a K9 handler.

This is the heartbreaking reality faced by law enforcement officers and K9 teams every single day. They run toward danger for people they will never meet, asking for nothing in return except the chance to make it home at the end of their shift.

Please keep Officer Keller’s wife, daughter, fellow officers, friends, and the entire Greenwood community in your thoughts and prayers as they navigate an unimaginable loss.

Rest easy, Officer Keller.
We will never forget your sacrifice and service. 🇺🇸

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Surprise, AZ
85387

Website

http://globalworkingdog.org/

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