Completed Heroes as of 5-1-15
Meet USMC (R) MWD Earl - our "Mystery Marine" and the reason behind the start of Boots & Collars: Earls Hope for Military Handlers & K-9's. Earl's portrait was presented just now to his handler Brad O'Keefe by his sister and founder of B&C, Rachel Lawson. Rachel worked with me each step of the way, all the way down to approving of me using a REAL B&C patch to put on Earl's vest. I hope I honored Brad and Earl's service with his portrait.
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Sgt. Siebert spent 9 years of his life protecting our country's United States Marines in explosives detection, had been deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan several times. Siebert was named in honor of fallen Marine Capt. Todd M. Siebert, who was killed in Iraq on Feb. 16, 2007
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U.S. Forest Service K9 Maros - Maros was KIA alongside his partner and handler Officer Jason Crisp on March 12, 2014 in the Grandfather mountain district North Carolina. Officer Crisp and Maros were off-duty when they heard the call regarding a man who reportedly had murdered his parents. Even though Officer Crisp was off that day, he felt it was his duty to support his fellow officers and pursue the suspect. Unfortunately, the two did not survive. Maros was not only a Federal Officer, he was also the best family pet for the Crisp family. The K9HPP travelled 645 one direction to present this portrait of Maros to the family on June 29th, 2014 in front of an audience of friends, family, fellow officers and local law enforcement. On June 17th, 2014, the House of Representatives voted and approved a request by Congressman Meadows to rename one of the U.S. Forest Service posts to the Officer Jason Crisp post.
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K-9 Fargo of the Richland County Sheriff's Department - Fargo was KIA also in December of 2011 while pursuing an armed suspect. Fargo was shot but still held on to the suspect until called off. The suspect was later found and in January of 2014, was sentenced for his crimes for a total of 30 years, 5 of which were specifically for the killing of a police law enforcement officer. Fargo's handler and partner was Deputy Warren Cavanaugh of the Richland County Sheriff's Department who has since been promoted to Fugitive Task Force with his new K-9, Chico. Fargo's presentation was kept secret from Cavanaugh for several weeks by his Lieutenant, Kevin Hoover and by the entire RCSD including Sheriff Leon Lott. On April 7th, 2014, I presented Fargo's portrait to Deputy Warren Cavanaugh in the media room of their headquarters along with his other K-9 team members. Deputy Cavanaugh, Lt. Hoover and Loreen Pantaleone were on K9 Radio on April 15th, 2014 discussing the presentation and what Fargo's portrait means to their team - "It's like looking right at Fargo again. Instead of remembering that tragic night, because of this portrait I can remember the good times," - Deputy Warren Cavanaugh
Louisa County Sheriff's Office K-9 Maggie - Maggie was lost in the line of duty in December of 2011, just days apart from K9 Fargo.
Captain Edward Martin III contacted the K9 Hero Portrait Project regarding K9 Heroes Day in Hanover County Virginia and quickly became the liaison for coordinating a portrait presentation for Lt. Patrick Sheridan, Maggie's handler. An incredible day.
Captain Edward Martin III contacted the K9 Hero Portrait Project regarding K9 Heroes Day in Hanover County Virginia and quickly became the liaison for coordinating a portrait presentation for Lt. Patrick Sheridan, Maggie's handler. An incredible day.
Atlas the Wonderdog - the face of The Battle Buddy Foundation formed by veteran Marine Kenny Bass. Atlas is a PTSD service dog to Bass who suffers from the disorder and also faces a disabling illness from his service. Atlas' fee as a highly trained PTSD service dog is in the thousands and when Bass realized that many veterans could not afford a K9 like Atlas due to the cost, he created The Battle Buddy Foundation to provide highly trained K9's for PTSD at low or no cost, as well as other veteran services so that those returning did not feel alone.
MWD Rico H115. During his career, Rico successfully completed over 400 explosive detection sweeps for the United States Secret Service, as well as over 500 explosive detection sweeps for various high ranking military and government officials. Rico also served our great nation when he deployed to Afghanistan in 2010-2011, and recorded 3 positive explosive finds containing various caches of weapons, IED's, and anti tank mines. Rico is a true American Hero in every sense of the title, and deserves to be remembered for his heroic actions and unwavering service to our country.
MWD Edo R203 currently on his first deployment with his first handler SSG Streichert. He is a 3yo Sable German Shepard, originally stationed out of Italy. MWD Edo is a Patrol Explosives Detection Dog affectionately called "Spider Edo" due to his incredible ability to jump and climb walls to pursue his targets.
MWD Edo is still early in his career but is showing his great detection skills by providing around the clock support to his deployed community.
MWD Edo is still early in his career but is showing his great detection skills by providing around the clock support to his deployed community.
Retired MWD Chef H067, United States Navy Explosive Detection and Patrol served 5 years active duty. While on active duty Chef H067 served two tours in Iraq, one tour to Africa and numerous Secret Service missions throughout the United States.
Chef H067 suffers from PTSD, and because of his symptoms he was unable to perform his active duty requirements, so he was retired in 2009 at the age of 7.
Since retirement Chef H067 has been a certified Therapy dog, and has visited wounded warriors, he was the Mascot for the Alamo Honor flight in which WWII veterans were flown to DC to visit the WWII memorial, he participated in the Tournament of Roses parade in 2010, and was an official Mascot for Military Working Dog Adoptions until 2013.
Chef H067 has now "officially" retired from many of his extra duties at the age of 11yrs. He prefers now to be at home, with his toys and his soft beds and just enjoying not having to do anything but be a dog. Another K9 vet who suffers from PTSD after serving our country 5 years strong.
Chef's long time handler is deserving of quality canvas print of MWD Chef as well for her full service career with him prior to his retirement. Chef and his handler dealt with incredible circumstances, as do all of our K9 Heroes, and had plans to adopt Chef after retirement. During the time awaiting approval for retirement, his handler realized that Chef had been serving as a therapy dog for someone state-side, so she made the painful and selfless decision to not separate the two new friends. .
Chef H067 suffers from PTSD, and because of his symptoms he was unable to perform his active duty requirements, so he was retired in 2009 at the age of 7.
Since retirement Chef H067 has been a certified Therapy dog, and has visited wounded warriors, he was the Mascot for the Alamo Honor flight in which WWII veterans were flown to DC to visit the WWII memorial, he participated in the Tournament of Roses parade in 2010, and was an official Mascot for Military Working Dog Adoptions until 2013.
Chef H067 has now "officially" retired from many of his extra duties at the age of 11yrs. He prefers now to be at home, with his toys and his soft beds and just enjoying not having to do anything but be a dog. Another K9 vet who suffers from PTSD after serving our country 5 years strong.
Chef's long time handler is deserving of quality canvas print of MWD Chef as well for her full service career with him prior to his retirement. Chef and his handler dealt with incredible circumstances, as do all of our K9 Heroes, and had plans to adopt Chef after retirement. During the time awaiting approval for retirement, his handler realized that Chef had been serving as a therapy dog for someone state-side, so she made the painful and selfless decision to not separate the two new friends. .
Bleky L293 SSD, is a retired Sable German Shepherd who last served out of Fort Jackson with the 171st Infantry Brigade, 208th MP Detachment. After a tour in Iraq, Bleky's military career with the Army ended due to a severe back injury that required surgery. Though hopes were high that Bleky would return to military work, the activity caused too much discomfort, thus Bleky was retired. Bleky L293 was adopted on Veterans Day in 2012 and is enjoying his retirement with his adoptive family and new friends. Let's
What happens when you mix a GSD with a Belgian Malinois? A fearsome explosives and patrol K9 Hero, that's what. This is MWD Ddamien D214, a K9 Hero who was such a legend that there were even rumors that you had to feed him by pushing the food bowl in his kennel with a squeegee. Ddamien protected and served up until 2010, three years after he was diagnosed with PTSD. Ddamien served on eight deployments in total including Iraq, Afghanistan, Buhrain and Kuwait. This "Devil Dog of San Diego" was adopted by someone who knew this special K9 needed lots of love and attention and would build a bond with him unsurpassed. Ddamien lived a long 12 years of life before being laid to rest due to old age. You can see the bond his adopter, (and the ONLY person that would go near him), had. A special K9 Hero like this who left such a mark, (literally-bite marks) on many, had a fantastic portrait created. This playful image of Ddamien kind of goes against his "known" personality which gave him his call name - The Devil Dog of San Diego" ;)
Completed K9 Hero Portraits
MWD Rocky C230
Rocky had an early start in the MWD program, joining as a pup. He was later placed with the Navy in 2001 and served in many deployments to Iraq.
MWD Rocky assisted with many POTUS/VPOTUS missions as well as being an extra K9 on the show NCIS. During his time in the military, MWD Rocky also was the emotional support for not only his handler, but other soldiers they worked with. Serving as patrol and explosives detector, MWD Rocky also shared the role as best friend to many of the soldiers, always eager to lend an ear to talk to. After retiring and being adopted by his handler, MWD Rocky continued on with his work to help with demonstrations to bring awareness of MWD programs to adults and children. MWD Rocky lived a long life of 13 years but sadly passed April of 2012. Another great K9 Hero who has an adoring handler who loves and misses him dearly.
Rocky had an early start in the MWD program, joining as a pup. He was later placed with the Navy in 2001 and served in many deployments to Iraq.
MWD Rocky assisted with many POTUS/VPOTUS missions as well as being an extra K9 on the show NCIS. During his time in the military, MWD Rocky also was the emotional support for not only his handler, but other soldiers they worked with. Serving as patrol and explosives detector, MWD Rocky also shared the role as best friend to many of the soldiers, always eager to lend an ear to talk to. After retiring and being adopted by his handler, MWD Rocky continued on with his work to help with demonstrations to bring awareness of MWD programs to adults and children. MWD Rocky lived a long life of 13 years but sadly passed April of 2012. Another great K9 Hero who has an adoring handler who loves and misses him dearly.
MWD Alan F201
Serving as protection for the V.P and First Lady, Alan served many times protecting and sniffing out every nook and cranny before allowing anyone to enter the premises, whether planes, hotels, or buildings.
Serving as protection for the V.P and First Lady, Alan served many times protecting and sniffing out every nook and cranny before allowing anyone to enter the premises, whether planes, hotels, or buildings.
SSD Jony L313 "Junk Yard"
This is Jony, or more formally SSD Jony L313, and not so formally, "Junk Yard" as the soldiers in Afghanistan knew him. Jony was adopted by his handler/Dad, Sgt. Brian Riddle, and is happily living out his retirement. Sgt. Riddle wasn't aware that his family had contacted me shortly after him sending in Jony's nomination and asked if I could possibly get his portrait done by Sept 28th, the night of a surprise "Welcome Home" party for Sgt. Riddle who is now retired as of Aug. 2013. Jony and I (and his portrait) snuck in the side door of the hall where the celebration was taking place and both were presented. Sgt. Riddle is a two time purple heart recipient and multiple award recipient including the JINSA Grateful Nation Award. Two very deserving soldiers, and I hope I did Jony justice with his portrait. So glad these two soldiers are now home safe.
This is Jony, or more formally SSD Jony L313, and not so formally, "Junk Yard" as the soldiers in Afghanistan knew him. Jony was adopted by his handler/Dad, Sgt. Brian Riddle, and is happily living out his retirement. Sgt. Riddle wasn't aware that his family had contacted me shortly after him sending in Jony's nomination and asked if I could possibly get his portrait done by Sept 28th, the night of a surprise "Welcome Home" party for Sgt. Riddle who is now retired as of Aug. 2013. Jony and I (and his portrait) snuck in the side door of the hall where the celebration was taking place and both were presented. Sgt. Riddle is a two time purple heart recipient and multiple award recipient including the JINSA Grateful Nation Award. Two very deserving soldiers, and I hope I did Jony justice with his portrait. So glad these two soldiers are now home safe.
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