Veteran Founded and Operated
723
K9s Trained by Spike’s School
57
Spike's School sessions held
12
Construction for Canines courses built
1,308
Custom-fit ballistic vests donated
339
critical medical treatments covered
287
heat alarms donated
3,284
Total protection, care, and training delivered by Spike’s Pack
2,728
K9s helped
THE NEED
Spike's K9 Fund, with your support, provides custom-fit ballistic vests, protective equipment, medical cost assistance, and access to top-of-the-line training programs.
A working K9 is typically a breed bred for its dexterity, ability to focus, intelligence and athleticism. Once selected for work, that K9 will undergo rigorous training for tasks such as apprehending suspected criminals and sniffing out narcotics or explosives.
When the K9 is ready to work, there’s been significant, essential cost and time invested into their conditioning to ensure they’re an asset to their team as well as to reduce risk of harm to themselves and others when working.
When these dogs have a need that allows them to be more effective at their job, the department they work for has to make a difficult and often detrimental decision of whether the cost of the need outweighs the cost of the specialized K9.
Spike’s K9 Fund, with your support, aspires to ensure every K9 receives exactly what they need every time.
WAYS TO HELP
Every donation, store purchase, event attended, and conversation helps our nation's working dogs receive the protection and care they deserve.
Spike's Testimonial
See your donations at work. Because of our pack, K9 Pako could return to work with the protection he deserves.
How We Started
Spikes K9 Fund was founded by James Hatch, a retired Special Warfare Operator. As a K9 handler on several deployments, James’ life was regularly spared by the work of K9s – one of the most memorable was Spike.
NEED HELP WITH A SPECIFIC NEED?
Apply for one of our five campaigns to request assistance with a ballistic vest, protective equipment, medical cost assistance, or top-of-the-line training programs and equipment.
Spike's K9 Fundheld a three-day Tracker School, offered for free to participants. Members of the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, including Officer Ryan Coll and his partner K9 Diesel took part.
"Our main purpose is to go out and apprehend these suspects who've escaped, or gone into the woods," said Officer Coll.
Coll and Diesel have been paired for about three years, working together for the past two.
"I spend more time with this dog than I do my wife and kids," Coll said.
The duo was one of about 15 participating in the training class on Thursday.
In life, you can either let circumstance define you or you can choose to define it.
You may remember the story of K9 Krijger who was shot and killed during a standoff with an armed suspect in January. While the loss devastated the Norfolk PD and law enforcement community as a whole, it spawned the start of something incredible.
Spike’s K9 Fund made a decision to give working dogs the protection they need. The result was the start of the Krijger Ballistic Vest Campaign. Some serious benefactors came forward to help, one of which was CNN anchor Anderson Cooper.
Now, almost exactly 7 months since Krijger’s passing, ALL of his fellow Norfolk K9’s have been outfitted with a custom-fit K9 Storm Patrol Swat Vest through Spike’s K9 Fund. Krijger’s handler, Ofc. McNiff, has a new partner too. His name is A.C., a tribute to Anderson Cooper for his generosity in helping jump-start the Krijger Ballistic Vest Campaign. Pictured above you will see A.C. beside a memorial for Krijger, proudly wearing his K9 Storm Vest.
Krijger was amazing and his memory will not be forgotten. The dog who lost his life is now watching over others with the ability to protect themselves. Each vest donated by Spike’s is emblazoned with “K-148”, Krijgers badge number.
We couldn’t be happier for Spike’s K9 Fund and the entire McNiff family on their perseverance the last few months. There isn’t a more deserving group and their story is a true testament that no matter what the circumstance, they are the ones who control what happens next.
