Howling Heroes is currently accepting applications for the esteemed K-9 Guardian Award. 🐾🏆 Apply today for support with your retired K9 Hero.
HOWLING HEROES
Our military, fire, and police K9s rush into danger without hesitation—so why do we hesitate to care for them once their service ends?
Meet Chinook, the new face of Howling Heroes. Originally known as “Bono,” Chinook is a 14-month-old Belgian Malinois/German Shepherd mix imported from Slovakia. He was carefully selected by Officer Vince Trusso and Sgt. John Lally of the Euclid Police Department—two highly respected K9 officers. Chinook’s name honors the legacy of Officer Jacob Derbin, who served in the U.S. Army Reserve working on Chinook helicopters before giving his life in the line of duty.
Chinook represents everything Howling Heroes stands for: loyalty, service, and a future filled with continued purpose. Through him, we honor those who serve and those who have fallen—both human and canine.
Howling Heroes, the K9 division of the Veterans and First Responders Foundation, exists to ensure that no K9 is left behind. Whether it's helping with medical treatment, injury recovery, or the everyday costs that come after service, we are committed to giving back to the working dogs who gave us their all.
We’re growing to serve even more K9 heroes:
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Excel K9 Services has joined us as a trusted training and placement partner.
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Paul Shaughnessy has been appointed as Director of K9 Operations, overseeing the Howling Heroes K9 Grant Program.
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Spencer Gale joins the team as Director of Communications, strengthening our mission and outreach.
We’ve also formed a K9 Officer Advisory Board made up of active-duty experts in the field:
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Officer Vince Trusso, K9 Handler, Euclid Police Department
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Sergeant John Lally, K9 Handler, Euclid Police Department
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Officer Brian M. Ondercin, K9 Handler & Edge SWAT, Cleveland Heights Police Department
Together, with Chinook leading the way, Howling Heroes is expanding its mission to care for retired military, fire, and police K9s—and to honor the powerful bond between dog and handler.
Join us in supporting their next chapter.
The K-9 GUARDIAN AWARD
Welcome to Howling Heroes, the distinguished K9 division within the Veterans & First Responders Foundation, where our mission is to provide unwavering support to the true four-legged heroes of our nation – the retired K9s who have dedicated their lives to serving and protecting the USA. Our unique program is a beacon of compassion and care, offering therapeutic services and comprehensive medical insurance coverage exclusively for these valiant canines. Once a K9 and their handler are chosen to be a part of our initiative, they become recipients of the esteemed K-9 Guardian award, a commitment that lasts for the duration of the K9's life. This award ensures that our courageous K9 Heroes receive the medical care they deserve, up until the day they cross the Rainbow Bridge. At that point, the medical coverage gracefully concludes, but our commitment to service remains unwavering. Another exceptional K9 in need is then considered for the Howling Heroes Guardian Award, following the same rigorous evaluation process. To qualify, K9s must be retired from law enforcement agencies, fire departments, or the military, privately owned, in good health, and free from any pending legal issues. Join us in honoring these incredible K9s who've served our country with unwavering dedication and loyalty.
VFR IN THE NEWS
New Euclid police K9 honors officer killed in line of duty
Not long after Derbin’s death, David Knott, founder of the Veterans and First Responders (VFR) organization, requested a meeting with a few leaders in the Euclid Police Department to discuss a way to honor the officer.
Fallen Ohio Officer’s Dream Lives On Through K9 Tribute
Just weeks after an Ohio Police Officer was ambushed and killed in the line of duty, the Veterans and First Responders Foundation honored his dream of becoming a K9 handler by donating a new police dog to the department, continuing a legacy shared with his father.
Veterans & First Responders Foundation Provides life-saving devices to local fire departments; donations sought
Thermal imaging devices, advanced heat-sensing tools that aid firefighters in detecting and navigating through hazardous environments to ultimately help save lives, are prized by fire departments.
