Our Dogs

K-9 Bdak was named after his father, K-9 Adak, an Iraq and Afghanistan veteran, that was named the 2017 American Humane Hero Dog winner, military. Following in his father’s footsteps, Bdak is an explosive detection dog, currently certified by the United States Army & the National Police Canine Association. Bdak has appeared on several news reports including the Today Show and even plays a war dog in the movie, Walking Point. Bdak is the big brother to K-9 Annie and K-9 Xena.

K-9 Pito has an amazing story.  Pito, an explosive detection dog, was slated to be a Special Operations K-9 with the US Military when he was rejected because of a heart murmur. But that didn’t stop Pito, he found his way to a large government contractor where he protected a Special Operations Unit in Kabul, Afghanistan. However, when the large company he worked with lost the contract overseas, they ordered him to be put down. Dogs for Defense and Project K-9 Hero worked tirelessly to get K-9 Pito back to the USA. Once back, Pito found himself living in California and frequenting the beach. Pito has worked at Sea World San Diego and at events around California.

K-9 Cooper was an owner surrender that was initially undergoing training to be a drug detection K-9, however, the working environments didn’t suit K-9 Cooper’s outdoor spirit. He now holds 2 completely different specialties. He is trained to haze geese as part of bird management solution and is also trained in wildlife detection. Shed Antlers are one of the target odors in his wildlife detection training, and Cooper has recovered quite a few trophy examples.

K-9 Floki is a unique mix of very high energy breeds, a Belgian Malinios and a Dutch Shepherd. When Dogs for Defense was contacted about K-9 Floki he was in a bad spot, he wasn’t making it as a pet and needed a job. Dogs for Defense gave him one as a narcotic (drug) detection dog. He would go on to be certified by the US Army before turning 1 year old. Now he can be found searching for drugs in many unique places including trash facilities and horse barns.

K-9 Kirby, being a Minnesota native, was named in honor of the Minnesota Twins Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett. K-9 Kirby had the opportunity to spend his rookie year as an explosive detection dog at the Minnesota Twins Ballpark before joining an All-Star Team in San Antonio. K-9 Kirby worked at Sea World, San Antonio ensuring the safety of the visitors as well as the animals. K-9 Kirby would ultimately return to Minnesota where he has found himself working at the Valleyfair Amusement park, concerts and special events.

K-9 Tresji, an explosive detection K-9, in the unique position of wearing two hats, or in this case, two collars. K-9 Tresji splits his time between duty as a K-9 with a Pennsylvania State Constable and as a K-9 with Dogs for Defense.  K-9 Tresji spends most days protecting the men and women of the Defense Logistics Agency. K-9 Tresji also works on a South Central Pennsylvania Task Force and can be found around the area supporting the US Army War College, responding to bomb threats or protecting the public at large events.

K-9 Lexi is an explosive detection dog that has spent the majority of her time split, working between two US Army bases. When not protecting the men and women in uniform, you may find her at concerts or major events like the Super Bowl.

K-9 Rexo was trained by Dogs for Defense and certified by the US State Department before being deployed to Iraq where he conducted explosive detection searches at the US Embassy. Following his deployment, K-9 Rexo was certified by the US Army. He can now be found either at a US Army base, working at a concert or supporting some special event like the Super Bowl and the Final Four.

K-9 Xena is the daughter of K-9 Adak, the 2017 American Humane Hero Dog, military winner.  K-9 Xena is certified by the US Army and can be found working in a broad range of locations from schools, treatment centers and US Military Bases. Xena is the little sister of K-9 Bdak and the big sister of K-9 Annie.

K-9 Kenner is named in honor of Sgt. Steve Kenner of the Bismarck Police Department, whom was killed in the line of duty on July 8, 2011. K-9 Kenner is a Dutch Shepherd, drug detection dog that ensures the safety of the men and women with the Defense Logistics Agency.

K-9 Annie Oakley II is named in honor of Dogs for Defense’s very first K-9. She is also the daughter of K-9 Adak, the 2017 American Humane Hero Dog, military. K-9 Annie was a puppy protégé being certified by the US Army and the United States Police Canine Association prior to being 1 year old. Annie has performed drug searches in over 10 states and counting. Annie is the little sister of K-9 Bdak and K-9 Xena.

K-9 Glory, a Golden Retriever, started his explosive detection career working at the United States Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq. He was sent stateside following a knee injury. After a full recovery, K-9 Glory began his work for Dogs for Defense Inc. He passed certification testing with the US State Department, US Army and the United States Police Canine Association. Glory stays busy by working at US Army bases & other D4D events throughout the USA.

K-9 Holi is a drug detection dog, splitting most of her work hours between two US military bases. She is certified by the US Army and has traveled across the United States, from Ft. Irwin in California and JB Lewis-McChord in Washington, to earn those annual certifications.

Please visit the K-9 Memorial Page to learn about the special Dogs for Defense K-9s that have crossed the Rainbow Bridge. You will also find a special tribute to K-9 Adak, the 2017 American Humane Hero Dog Winner in the Military Category.