While K-9 officers are renowned for their remarkable abilities to sniff out drugs and assist in capturing suspects, the Indianapolis Police Department has welcomed a unique addition to their ranks. Meet Officer Gus, the Australian miniature labradoodle, whose sole mission is to provide emotional support and uplift the spirits of the officers. Unlike his counterparts, Officer Gus doesn’t partake in drug busts or suspect pursuits. Instead, he serves as the department’s new therapy dog, bringing comfort and solace to law enforcement personnel during challenging times. With an impressive repertoi ..read more

Military working dogs (MWDs) have played a crucial role in military operations for decades, providing invaluable services to military personnel around the world. These highly trained dogs are specifically bred and trained to assist in a variety of tasks, such as detecting explosives, locating enemy combatants, and conducting search and rescue missions Most Common Breeds Used For Military Dogs One of the most popular military dog breeds is the German Shepherd. Known for their intelligence, versatility, and loyalty, German Shepherds have been used in military operations for various tasks, inclu ..read more

Rocky Kanaka (Animal Advocate): At first, she failed as a service dog. And then this happened. Alana (Toothless’s Owner): I was 19, I had just graduated college and I had asked for a dog my entire life. And finally my family gave in and said, You can have a dog. Went down to the shelter the next day. I was like, I gotta do this fast before they changed their mind again. Went down there, I saw a listing for a puppy that didn’t have a picture online, so I rushed down there and I’m going through all the kennels. There she was, she was nine weeks old and about eight and a half pounds. But I put my ..read more

Rocky Kanaka uses his multi-media presence to advocate for animals in need around the world, but his most recent project also has a human focus. In his new short film (featured in the video above), Rocky Kanaka explores the experience of returning military Veterans and their new dogs, highlighting a variety of much needed programs now available around the country. In these programs, Veterans are paired with rescue dogs who have been carefully selected for their temperament, interest in humans, and ability to pick up on important training. After assessment and preparation with one of the many n ..read more

Graduating is a huge accomplishment in any young person’s life. It celebrates four years of hard work and dedication that can’t be done alone. It’s essential for any student to have a support system, whether it’s parents, teachers, other students – or even a dog! That’s right, dogs don’t just support humans in the home, they support humans in the classroom. Or at least that’s the case of English Labrador retriever, O’Hara, and her owner, Bella.  Bella, who has Stargardt disease and has lost much of her sight, went to school to get a biology degree. And her guide dog, O’Hara, accompanied ..read more

Hassling any dog minding its business seems like unhinged behavior, but hassling a guide dog for the blind would be exceptionally absurd. And yet that’s exactly what guide dog Kika and her human Dr. Amit Patel captured on video in mid February 2022. Doctor and disability advocate Amit Patel lost his sight in 2013 and received Kika, a white Labrador, as a guide dog in 2015. Since then, the two have become close companions as they have navigated the busy London Underground and the even more chaotic birth of two kids.  Amit and Kika: Via Amit Patel But while Dr. Patel’s partnership with Kik ..read more

Did you see that puppy in the window at Disneyland? Surely not because on a beautiful Saturday in early April, every dog in Anaheim Disneyland was at work. Or rather training for their future career as a service dog. Dozens of organizations that train service dogs, including Guide Dogs of America, walked 1000’s of canine service trainees into The Happiest Place on Earth, but what does a service dog need to learn in a theme park? Most people are familiar with guide dogs, dogs trained to help the blind navigate, but service dogs can be trained to support a number of disabilities. According to th ..read more

Everyone wants to treat their dog like royalty. We shower them with gifts, tummy rubs, and snuggles to show them how much we care. We seek out pet-friendly locales to vacation with them. However, some dogs happen to be a bit luckier than others when it comes to grand experiences. Meet the Star: Nala the Service Dog Nala is a gorgeous golden retriever and the service dog to her mom, Megan Leigh. Nala is a service dog to Megan Leigh. They love going to Disneyland together. In addition to being super adorable, Nala performs essential services. She can pick up items, open doors, and provide crucia ..read more