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There are about 2500 dogs in active service today and about 700 deployed overseas.

Up until the year 2000, service dogs were considered “military surplus equipment” and deemed unfit to adjust to civilian life after their military service. Many were simply euthanized.

But in 2000, President Clinton passed “Robby’s Law” which allowed handlers and their families first dibs at adopting military animals at the end of their useful service. The dogs are next offered to law enforcement, and then adoptive families in order to give them the retirement they deserve.

But some dogs have trouble adjusting to civilian life, or finding the right home, and still may face death.

Project K-9 Hero is a national nonprofit 501c3 organization, whose mission is to provide medical care, food, and death benefit assistance for our nation’s retired Police K-9s and Military Working Dogs. Project K-9 Hero also helps K-9s who need a home after their service, through rehabilitation and adoption.

One of Project K-9’s heroes is Military Working Dog “Rosso” (T206).

Rosso served our nation for nine years at Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane, Washington as a Dual-Purpose Patrol Apprehension/Explosive Detector Dog.

During his career, Rosso was assigned to protect the President of the United States on 10 separate details with the U.S. Secret Service, including one trip with POTUS to Japan. Rosso was deployed to Operation Inherent Resolve in the Middle East where he was responsible for the safety of countless American Soldiers, Airmen, Marines, and Sailors.

Upon retirement, Rosso was awarded with an USAF Commendation Medal, but was scheduled to be euthanized due to his aggressive behavior.

His chain of command reached out to Project K-9 Hero and asked if their organization could help rehabilitate and house Rosso at their facility in Tennessee. It was either that or be put down.

He was deemed to be un-adoptable to anyone other than to an organization like Project K-9 Hero because of his aggression. His handler had an infant at home and Rosso is not friendly with children of any age or any other people besides his handler. While his handler loved him very much, Rosso was unable to stay with him for safety reasons.

Rosso is now living a happy life at the Project K-9 Hero Rehabilitation and Rehoming Facility and is an Ambassador for what they do to ensure heroes like him are well taken care of in retirement.

Proceeds from each sale of our limited-edition REDD “Remember Every Dog Deployed” shirt will be donated to their nonprofit to directly help retired K-9 Heroes in their program.

We owe these 4-legged heroes a debt that can never be fully repaid.