Spike was our founder’s first working dog, a partner who saved his life and the lives of his teammates on multiple occasions.

Certifications: KNPV certified working dog

Service Highlights: Served with courage, precision, and unwavering devotion in high-risk missions. His partnership with our founder, Jimmy Hatch, laid the foundation for everything we do today.

Legacy: Spike’s impact lives on through every K9 we’ve helped receive life-saving protection, medical care, and critical training. To date, his legacy has reached more than 3,000 working dogs across all 50 states.

Falco was an energetic, dedicated Military Working Dog. Though our founder was not his handler, they served alongside one another in combat.

During an operation, Falco located an enemy group in hiding and alerted his team, allowing them to engage. In the line of duty, Falco was shot twice in the chest with an AK-47 and gave his life protecting his brothers in arms.

Fierce, loyal, and mission-driven, Falco is honored as one of the four stars in our logo.

Remco was a courageous Military Working Dog who saved our founder’s life by sacrificing his own.

Assigned to a team on a mission to bring home a captured soldier, Remco quickly located an enemy ambush and alerted his teammates, giving them a critical advantage. As he engaged the threat, the enemy opened fire, and the first rounds struck Remco.

Remco lost his life that night, but his actions saved three American lives, including our founder’s. His bravery was recognized with a Silver Star, and he is honored as one of the four stars in our logo.

Toby was a trusted Military Working Dog whose legacy lives on through one of the stars in our logo.

Toby served alongside our founder before being handled by John “Jet Li” Dougdara. In 2008, Toby was killed in action after saving six Canadian lives.

Honored by those who served with him, Toby’s sacrifice was recognized with a plaque from the Canadian Military, gifted to John’s family after John’s passing.

Years after the inception of Spike’s K9 Fund, K9 Krijger of the Norfolk Police Department was deployed as a less-than-lethal option during a domestic violence standoff with an armed suspect. During the apprehension, the suspect fired two rounds into Krijger’s chest. Despite his injuries, he held on until the suspect was subdued — protecting his handler, Ryan, and fellow officers.

Connection to Spike’s K9 Fund: Our founder met Ryan at the veterinary hospital that night. Seeing the X-rays, they realized that had Krijger worn a ballistic vest, he would have survived. That’s when the K9 Krijger Ballistic Vest Campaign was born, ensuring no working dog faces danger unprotected again.

Legacy: Every ballistic vest donated carries Krijger’s service number embroidered inside as a tribute to his courage and sacrifice.

Through his legacy, more than 1,500 working dogs now serve with the life-saving protection they deserve.

K9 Piper served as a Wildlife Control Canine at Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City, Michigan, keeping travelers safe by responding to wildlife reports and conducting regular patrols around the airfield. He spent most of his shifts chasing birds and other wildlife away from taxiways and runways.

Connection to Spike’s K9 Fund: K9 Piper had the specialized gear he needed to do his job safely. We created the K9 Piper Kit Campaign to equip working dogs across the country with the same essential tools for success.

Legacy: To date, over 300 life-saving heat alarms have been donated in Piper’s honor, and over 700 K9 teams have benefited from this campaign.

Personally selected by our founder to serve in his former military unit, Diesel displayed extraordinary courage across eight combat deployments. On one mission, he was shot with an AK-47, rehabilitated, and then went on to deploy again before retiring to a loving home.

Honors and Awards:

• Bronze Star with Valor
  
• Purple Heart
  

Connection to Spike’s K9 Fund: In retirement, Spike’s K9 Fund was able to provide the medical care that helped him live his final years in comfort.

Legacy: Diesel’s legacy lives on through every K9 supported by the Combat Dog Diesel Medical Campaign, which helps cover critical medical costs for active and retired working dogs.

To date, Spike’s K9 Fund has provided assistance for more than 400 medical cases.