K9 PTSD Center

10/23/2025

💛 A Once-in-a-Lifetime Moment at the K9 PTSD Research Center 💛

We witnessed something truly extraordinary — a reunion six years in the making. After serving side by side in war, a brave K9 and his handler were separated… until now.

Through the dedication and compassion of our team, they are finally back together again. 💫

This heartwarming story reminds us why we do what we do. For most of our heroes, once they arrive at the Center, they never leave — this reunion was a rare and deeply emotional moment for all of us.

We are beyond honored to be part of this incredible chapter in both of their lives. 💙🐾

SEEKONK, Mass. (WLNE) — Tactical Sergeant Russell Ferguson and K-9 Dex served for years together overseas, and after six years apart, they were reunited Saturday morning in Seekonk. K-9 PTSD Research Center founder James LaMonte said this is the first time in his organization’s history that a K-...

10/20/2025

Military Hero K9 Kalo checking in to make sure you're surviving Monday like a champ 🐾💪
He’s already completed three tactical naps, two snack missions, and had one heated standoff with a rogue squirrel—so he’s definitely winning the day! 😆

Stay strong out there, civilians — Mondays don’t stand a chance when you channel your inner K9 Kalo! 🦴🇺🇸

10/14/2025

🐾 Congratulations to K9 Officer Erik Blair & K9 Warner! 🐾

We are proud to announce that K9 Officer Erik Blair and K9 Warner of the Springfield Police Department have been awarded K9 Handler of the Year for 2026!

With a remarkable record of service, this incredible team has been instrumental in locating over $1 million in illegal narcotics, tracking violent offenders, and finding lost children — true heroes who exemplify dedication and excellence in serving the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Join us this May 2026 at Skipper’s Chowder House in South Yarmouth for the award presentation during the Yarmouth Police Blue 5K Race.

Come celebrate these outstanding achievements and honor those who protect and serve our communities every day. 💙🐾


K9 Flexx and Retired/Police K9 Mr. Warner.
State Representative Steve Xiarhos
Springfield Police Department

10/06/2025

🐾 K9 Hulk Wants to Know... Have YOU Ordered Your K9 Plate Yet? 🚔

Meet K9 Hulk, who proudly served the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a Tactical Entry K9 for the Massachusetts State Police.
After years of service protecting our communities, Hulk now thrives at the K9 PTSD Research Center, living the life he truly earned — a hero’s life.

Now, you can honor heroes like Hulk by per-ordering the Official Massachusetts K9 Heroes License Plate!

🔹 Available Now for Pre-Order
🔹 $40.00 for Two Years
🔹 Funds support retired Police and Military K9s across the Commonwealth

💡 IMPORTANT:
UPDATE-Current total as of this post is 1754 per-orders
The final plate design and color are subject to change pending production approval by the Commonwealth. Once we reach 3,000 per-orders, plates will enter official manufacturing — estimated 8–10 months after the goal is met.

Every order brings us closer to honoring the service, loyalty, and sacrifice of our K9 heroes who protect and serve Massachusetts every day.

🐾 Order yours today and show your support!
👉www.k9ptsd.org/plate

K9 PTSD Research Center is a 501-C-3 Non-Profit; At the heart of our mission is a clear focus: to treat and heal canines suffering from C-PTSD (Canine Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder).

09/28/2025

We are deeply grateful to State Representative Steve Xiarhos and Carlos Gonzalez State Representative, Steven Howitt for State RepresentativeSenator Kelly Dooner for standing with us in support of Dakota’s Law, and to all the Representatives who have joined in backing this powerful and much-needed legislation. Dakota’s Law was born out of the love and sacrifice of our K9 heroes here at the K9 PTSD Research Center we see firsthand the struggles they carry long after their service ends.

Your support ensures that these brave dogs — who gave everything to protect us — finally have a voice. Together, we are honoring their service, protecting their future, and showing them the gratitude they have always deserved. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.

We ask everyone reading this to please contact your local Representative and urge them to stand with Dakota’s Law. Every voice matters, and together we can make sure our heroes are never forgotten.

https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/neros-law-dakotas-law-police-k9s-massachusetts/

State Representative Steve Xiarhos
WBZ / CBS News
Boston Police Department (Official)
Webster Police K9 Unit
K9 Flexx and Retired/Police K9 Mr. Warner.
Springfield Police Department
Massachusetts State Police

Massachusetts legislators are proposing two bills that would help protect injured and retired police K9s.

09/14/2025

Official Mass K9 License Plate Available now!

After years of development, we are thrilled to share that the official K9 Heroes License Plate has been approved by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts! (The final design is subject to change, not the design itself, the coloring within the design.)
It’s been a long wait, but now you can proudly show your support for the K9s who bravely serve our Commonwealth every day. With over 3,500 votes cast, this design was chosen by you—the community—with an overwhelming 80% of the vote.
A note about the design: because the plate has very limited space, we were only able to feature two heroes to represent the working dog world. The letters “SG” honor K9 Sergeant Sean Gannon, and the featured breeds stand as symbols for the many others. While the design could not include every breed, we want to be clear—Labs, Dutch Shepherds, German Shepherds, Malinois, and every working dog are heroes we recognize each and every day.
Before placing your order, please make sure to read all the details carefully on the order page. We must reach 3,000 pre-orders before the plates will be released to the state for production.
Now it’s time to make history. Let’s hit 3,000 orders in the next 30 days. We’ve done all we can—now the rest is up to you. The cost of the plate will be $40.00.
Together, let’s honor our heroes and make history.

Gannon
State Representative Steve Xiarhos
State Senator Kelly Dooner
Steven Howitt for State Representative
Carlos Gonzalez State Representative
Yarmouth Police Dept.
Yarmouth Police Foundation
Massachusetts State Police
Webster Police K9 Unit
Springfield Police Department
Boston Police Department (Official)
Worcester Police Department (Official)

09/05/2025

✨ A Hero Reuniting with a Hero ✨
Meet MWD K9 Dex/A332 EDD — a true American hero. 💙🐾
K9 Dex gave everything for our country. He served 3 tours in Iraq and 3 tours in Afghanistan as an Explosives Detection Dog protecting his fellow Soldiers, Airmen and Marines saving countless lives.
After years of service, his story almost ended in heartbreak —K9 Dex was scheduled to be euthanized. 💔
But fate had other plans. His former handler — his battle partner, his best friend — found out and refused to let K9 Dex’s story end this way. Even while deployed overseas, he stepped in to save him, his handler entrusted us to keep K9 Dex safe and to give him the war decompression therapy he needs until the day they are reunited.
Now, after six long years apart, these two heroes will finally be together again. 🐕❤️👨‍✈️
We’ll be sharing their powerful reunion in the coming months. Stay tuned — this is one you won’t want to miss.
Because heroes never forget each other.

Military Dog Handlers

08/27/2025

🐾🐕 Happy International Dog Day! 🐕🐾

On this important day, we paws to recognize just how much dogs do for us each and every day. From loyal companions who bring us comfort, to working K9s who protect and serve our communities and country, to service dogs who provide life-changing support — their impact on our lives is immeasurable.

Let’s take a moment today to honor their unconditional love, their bravery, and the countless ways they enrich our world. 💙🐾

Give your dog an extra hug today and remember all the amazing four-legged heroes who make our lives better! 🐶❤️

08/21/2025

We want to thank each and every one of you for your amazing support of the K9 Heroes in our care. 🐾💙

From the Jeep community to the Craft Beer community, your recognition and your amazing donations mean the world. Because of you, these heroes receive the honor, care, and love they truly deserve. Together, we are building a stronger voice for those who cannot speak for themselves. Featured in the photo is heroes Peter Ambrose, K9 Kato and Jennifer Lynn. We would also like to send a special thank you to:

Papi
Kits
Heyningen
Faria
Patricia Borges
Neff
Crombie
Reis
and Craig Cooke
Desousa

07/24/2025

Life doesn’t always give us clear answers.
Sometimes we’re faced with choices that shake us.
Paths that feel uncertain. Moments where doubt creeps in.
But even in the quiet, even when the world feels heavy—
you still get to choose.

Choose courage, even when you're scared.
Choose to keep going, even when you’re tired.
Choose love, even when it hurts.

And if you’re lucky… there’s a dog beside you.
Eyes full of trust.
Heart full of loyalty.
They don’t care which road you take—they just want to walk it with you.

In a world full of questions, their presence is the answer.
They believe in you, even when you forget how to believe in yourself.

So when you’re faced with a decision—don’t be afraid.
You’re not alone. You’ve got heart. You’ve got purpose.
And you’ve got a dog who would follow you anywhere.

07/22/2025

RE-POSTED: The original post was flagged by FB we do not know why.
A heartfelt thank you to Senator Kelly Dooner, Steven Howitt for State Representative, State Representative Steve Xiarhos and K9 Officer Erik Blair along with K9 Warner K9 Flexx and Retired/Police K9 Mr. Warner.. of the Springfield Police Department for standing proudly in support of Dakota’s Law.
This non-partisan legislation is about one thing: doing right by the K9 heroes who serve our communities.
K9 Officer Erik Blair and his wife went so far as to pay out of pocket to cover the cost of care for K9 Warner in retirement—a sacrifice no family should have to make after years of dedicated service.
Dakota’s Law ensures that these K9s receive the care they’ve earned, without placing the burden on the families who stood beside them.
Let’s honor their service with the support they deserve.

07/16/2025

Please send some love to K9 Hero Satu who underwent surgery today. 💙 This brave boy from the great city of Fall River has served the Commonwealth of Massachusetts with honor and strength. We’re happy to report—he’s doing great and already on the road to recovery! 🐾💪

Let’s show him the love he deserves!
City of Fall River Police Department