Paws Of Honor, Inc

Helping K9s who served. Paws of Honor provides a tremendous amount of support. Not many have this many dogs under their care, including my retired K9 Riki.

Paws of Honor came to our rescue when Retired K9 Tygo started having some severe health issues that we just couldn’t quite afford. They assisted with it with no questions asked and have been apart of our family ever since! What an incredible and supportive nonprofit!!

My retired K9 would not be with us right now if it weren’t for Paws of Honor. Three months into retirement she had a twisted colon that required emergency surgery that cost almost $10,000! Paws of Honor paid the entire bill and dealt with the vet for all financial concerns so that all I had to worry about was making sure my girl recovered. Their emotional and financial support during this frightening experience was immeasurable. Their continued support for her veterinary care has ensured she has a happy & healthy retirement! Thank you Paws of Honor and all who donate!

This is such an amazing group! I got my dad’s work K9 after he died unexpectedly. She’s facing the medical issues many older dogs face but, that was a medical expense I wasn’t prepared to take on. Paws of Honor immediately jumped in to help and my best friend is living her best life in retirement thanks to them!

Paws of Honor is a phenomenal nonprofit, whose support has been invaluable to me and my retired K9, Abrams. K9 Abrams served the community for 8 years as a police K9, until he was medically retired in 2023. Since his retirement Paws of Honor has already provided enormous assistance with his medical care, care that I wouldn’t have been able to provide on my own. K9 Abrams is my best friend and a member of our family. I can not thank Paws of Honor enough for their continued support and ensuring that K9 Abrams can live a happy and healthy retirement here at home with us.

My name is Cindy and I have a retired U.S. Customs and Border Protection Narcotics/Human Detection canine named Dark. Dark was medically retired in June of 2022 at the age of 8 after being diagnosed with Degenerative Myelopathy (DM). DM is a neurological disorder that has no cure, and the final stages of the disease always results in the humane euthanasia of the canine. As Dark’s handler for approximately 7 years, I signed his adoption paperwork assuming full responsibility for my partner’s behavior as a member of the non working world and I agreed to take 100% financial responsibility for his care and upkeep. Paws of Honor (POH) graciously accepted us into the family and I am humbled and grateful to be part of this organization. Above and beyond basic medical care and supplements, POH has provided vet wrap to protect Dark’s nails from further damage because his hind legs drag on the ground in the late stages of DM, a Help’Em Up Harness to provide mobility support for Darks lower body, and most recently a custom fitted cart from Eddie’s Wheels with the hope of providing Dark with the sense of freedom and purpose that comes with still having the ability to go outside and explore the world on a walk when your legs don’t want to work anymore. In addition to the financial support, POH makes us feel like family and has a handler support group that allows us to share our stories with one another. As with most handlers, I would put myself in a financially difficult place to give my partner the care he earned and deserves! Thanks to POH, I’m not forced to take carry that load. . Please support this amazing organization! I am eternally grateful for Paws of Honor!!!

My name is Rene Morales and at this moment I have three dogs that live in my home. Two of them have been retired and I have kept them because they were my partners. I cannot thank PAWS OF HONOR enough for helping me take care of my lovely partners with medical care. Thank you.

Paws of Honor is an incredible organization dedicated to helping retired K9’s receive the veterinary care they need at no cost to their families. Tank was my husband’s partner at various federal agencies for 6 years. When Tank retired a couple of years ago, the wear & tear of working started to show up on his body in the form of hip issues, elbow arthritis & spinal issues. Paws of Honor welcomed Tank into their program & alleviated all the stress associated with paying for his extensive veterinary care. We never have to stress about costly diagnostic tests, medicine or treatments because Paws of Honor covers 100% of his needs. The organization has welcomed him & us with open arms & we have found a loving & supportive community of fellow retired K9’s & their families. We don’t know where we would be without Paws of Honor & we are so thankful for their support.

Paws of Honor is such an amazing organization! A few years back when my retired K9 had to have emergency surgery for a blockage there was no hesitation from the organization. They helped me save my buddy and he is still living his best retired life thanks to them!

I LOVE Paws of Honor and what they have deemed their purpose. To help retired working dogs. These dogs did not ask for the job of protecting us, but they give it their all, every single day. Many times just for the reward of playing with a kong. Their bodies are stressed and battered on a daily basis. Many of them have to retire early due to stress, injury, early onset of arthritis and even PTSD.

In the past, these amazing pups were discarded. They were not allowed to stay with their handler. The one person they trust the very most. Many times the handler was unable to provide the necessary medical care because, let face it, aging is expensive. Well no more. Paws of Honor has filled this monetary gap and now many of our working dogs are able to spend their retirement with their family.

I have been fortunate enough to provide hydrotherapy to these amazing pups in the Fairfax area. A client of ours donated a significant amount to Paws of Honor with the sole purpose of these funds being used at Aquatic Paws. Senna and Gento were the first two working dogs to grace us with their presence. They both loved coming to swim or walk in the underwater treadmill….and we loved them.

Swimming is a great way for the younger but still energetic retired pups to burn off pent up energy. The underwater treadmill is amazing for retired dogs of all ages. It helps maintain and even rebuild lost muscle mass. For the arthritic pup it does wonders for decreasing the pain and stiffness arthritis brings with it. Gento’s owner felt it kept Gento mobile for much longer than he anticipated. Which was a win/win for both! It made me happy to see Gento and Senna so happy and relaxed with us.

I enjoy volunteering with their annual golf tournament each May and have gotten to know other volunteers, some of the veterinarians who provide care for the pups, some of the handlers and most importantly, some of the dogs! I have enjoyed their fund raisers at Onos Brewery in Chantilly and again, enjoy meeting the people and the pups.

One of the other amazing aspects of Paws of Honor is the total family type commitment by everyone who is involved with the organization. It is evident that each person has one goal…….support the retired working dogs and their handlers by eliminating the expensive veterinary cost of senior dogs and giving them the best retirement possible.

Thank you Paws of Honor for all that you do and for allowing me to be a small piece of the puzzle.

Lisa C
Aquatic Paws

I can not say enough good things about Paws of Honor ! Paws of Honor took care of my K-9 partner during his retired years that ensured he had a great quality of life until the day he passed.
Niko required daily and monthly medication for pain management as well as prescription food for his dietary needs. Niko being a floppy eared pup also required medication for his ears the last year or so.
Paws of Honor basically gave my partner the benefits that a retired "HERO" deserved and earned during his many years of service to his agency and for that I am eternally grateful to them !

My partner, Rriverso and I worked explosive detection at Reagan National Airport in Washington DC. Rriverso is a product of TSA’s breeding program. Most dogs are purchased from vendors and are already named. TSA needed to name all of the puppies from the breeding program and chose to name them all after victims of 9/11. Rriverso is named after Joseph Riverso who was from White Plains NY and perished in one of the WTC towers. It has been one of the greatest honors of my life to carry on a small part of Joe Riverso’s legacy.

Rriverso has screened countless passengers for flight and constantly swept Congress’ airport to ensure it was clear of explosives. Rriverso performed multiple demonstrations for members of Congress at Capitol Hill to demonstrate the value of working dogs as a Homeland Security asset.

When I was given the opportunity to adopt my partner, I never thought twice. Being able to spend his golden years relaxing with me and my family in the only home he had known for years was the ONLY option. I never considered how those golden years are the most expensive years of a dog’s life. It gets more and more expensive to keep him comfortable and let him enjoy the things he enjoyed when he was younger.

Thanks to Paws of Honor, he has been given much better care than I would have ever been able to afford. Rriverso is not just living his final years, he’s thriving in them and enjoying them. He has discovered a love for fetch on the beach, camping and river swimming with his family and trying to keep up with the neighbor’s golden retriever puppy. None of these activities would be possible without treatments and medications that I would not have been able to afford on my own. When Rriverso ate one of the kid’s cupcakes (foil and all) it was Paws of Honor that saved his life from the gastrointestinal blockage.

Rriverso’s life has been so greatly improved by the work of the wonderful people at Paws of Honor and we are eternally grateful for these wonderful years together, no monetary value can be put on that.

Paws of honor has been a tremendous help for our canine team, who was retired last year. Canine Dallas requires constant medical treatment which would of been very costly for me the handler who adopted him. We greatly appreciate it and very thankful for Paws of Honor. Thank you again!!

The people at Paws of Honor are some of the best I’ve ever met. When I brought my retired K9 partner to them, he was in very serious need of medical help. They cared for him like he was their own and went above and beyond in the treatment without hesitation. I can never thank them enough for what they have done and continue to do for my boy.

We can't say enough good things about the Paws of Honor program. Since CJ and Hayley were retired from service, we have been taking them both to Paws of Honor program vet in McLean, VA. They have received outstanding care. CJ had chronic ear infections and went to several vets. The vet through the Paws of Honor program finally was able to get his ear infections under control. Since CJ is older, he also was starting to have hip issues and was having a hard time running, playing and jumping. The vet started acupuncture on CJ and we have seen a big difference. He is moving around much better now. The drive to McLean is long from where we live but it is worth it. Robert and Sandra Matia

Paws of Honor is an amazing program that help provide free veterinary care and products to retired police and military working dogs. We are blessed to be a part of this program that has assisted us with these benefits.

Our K9, King, retired after 6 years with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority due to spinal stenosis and bulging discs in his neck. Most people don't realize that when K9's retire, their handlers take on the high costs/expenses of their care. Paws of Honor allows K9's and their Handlers to stay together by providing all their veterinary care, prescriptions and food at no cost. Paws of Honor is an amazing organization! We are thankful for them allowing us to keep King comfortable and enjoying his retirement.

Paws of Honor is a great program that is there to help our retired Police and Military working dogs after their working days are over. My retired Lab has a lot of wear and tear on his body from years of work as an Explosives Detection K9. Paws of Honor is there ensuring that my boy gets top notch care without fear of cost.

I can’t say enough wonderful things about POH. My husband’s retired K9 partner is a member of this program and has received exceptional care. As an advocate of the Paws of Honor Program I love that this is an all volunteer program and that 100% of donations go directly to the dogs care.

I was introduced to Paws Of Honor I September 2017. I bring back Retired Contract Working Dogs (CWD's) from War Zones, so far all have come from Afghanistan.

Paws Of Honor saw CWD Rudy & CWD Storm without stipulations, they didn't hesitate they did their Health Checks and Storm needed medicine, I've brought back 22 CWDs and it is costly and out of pocket.

Paws Of Honor I can't say enough about what and amazing organization and Staff they are! Absolutely wonderful with the Retired K9s. There is such a need for this and Paws Of Honor saw this and serve the Retired Working Dogs and What they do is huge for All Retired Working Dogs and their families!

Paws Of Honor is absolutely wonderful and amazing!

Thank You Paws Of Honor!
Gratefully,
CWD Rudy, CWD Storm, and
Frances Reilly

Our retired explosives detection K9 has received the most amazing & thorough care. The doctors and staff are extremely knowledgeable and truly care about the animals. Simply put, they are The Best!

K9 Cody is a recipient of Paws of Honor since the beginning of 2016. Earlier this year, while at Old Dominion Animal Hospital for his wellness check they found a malignant mass cell tumor. Three surgeries in six weeks and was diagnosed as cancer free! He would not have celebrated his 10th birthday this month without this non-profit organization, the volunteers, staff at Old Dominion, donors and the community. The government does not provide any retirement package to a K9 and they are the responsibility of the handlers once they retire. So there is no way we would not do everything we could to help them get the best care after the service they have provided our country! Paws of Honor is top notch and we will forever be grateful for the generosity they provided to K9 Cody and our family!

I can’t say enough good things about Paws of Honor, they saved my dogs life and have improved the quality of life my 2 other retired k9s as well as countless others. No other charity does as much for the heroes that serve our country and our communities. He’s not just a retired police dog, he’s still giving to our community as a therapy dog and a READ dog, without POH he wouldn’t be here today!

I brought my retired Military Working Dog home after 9 years of Naval service. As with most Veterans, he has a plethora of health issues. However, unlike his human counterparts, he does not have any VA benefits or equivalent. Handlers that adopt their dogs are expected to handle these costs out of pocket. Paws of Honor has been a godsend. I know that no matter the ailment, my dog will get the required care. I no longer have to consider cost when determine the best treatment for him. I can’t begin to express how amazing this is. The staff take the time to get to know you and you dog.

There are not enough positive things that I can say about Paws of Honor. This non profit gave me hope and removed a literal weight from my shoulders. Many may not understand when police canines retire from service their veterinary care becomes the responsibility of the handler. Attached are photos of my pretty girl Senna, she is a retired explosive detection canine. She was retired just before her fourth birthday, which is quiet early for any working dog. As you can see she had cancer and we had to amputate her left front leg, but please know she is a happy and healthy 6 year old now and that is thanks to Paws of Honor!! When we go into the clinic we are welcomed and senna feels so loved. They downright spoil us! Please consider donating to such a special organization who looks out for those four (or three) legged heroes that served our county.