Kristi’s Story

My Mission: Making Things Matter

It was just another day at work for K9 Blek, a Czech-German shepherd. The K9 had scented three robbery suspects in a densely wooded area and gave pursuit. But on this day, K9 Blek gave his life attempting to apprehend the suspects.

Blek’s partner, Harris County Precinct 4 Deputy Constable Ted Dahlin, went home safely that night to his family. Dahlin knew the dangers he had faced that day, a single officer hampered by poor maneuverability and visibility in the bayou thicket. He owed his life to the actions of his K9.
When I learned of their story on the local nightly news and heard that the department couldn’t afford to replace the heroic K9, I knew I had to make K9 Blek’s life matter. I had to help other officers like Ted Dahlin go home to their families at night.
K9s are highly valuable assets to any law enforcement agency and school district. These warrior dogs assist in narcotics, ammunition detection, patrol and arrests. Their senses are vastly more sensitive than their human partners,  hearing and smelling danger far earlier. This can make the difference between life and death. Unfortunately, with K9 costs running between $15,000 and $45,000, K9s are often the first to fall to budget cuts.
In June 2010, I founded K9s4COPs to fund the donation of trained K9s to law enforcement agencies around the country. Less than a month after achieving our 501 (c)(3) non-profit tax exempt status, we donated our first four K9s to the Harris County Sheriff’s Department on April 5, 2011.
Spurred by the success of these donated K9s, I launched the K9s4KIDs initiative in the fall of 2013. If K9s could keep our communities and law enforcement officers safe, I knew they would do the same for our children. My daughter, Sinclair, was the same age as the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary school shooting. Having watched our personal protection K9s interact with my daughter and her friends, I knew K9s on campus would be a kinder, gentler alternative to other means of campus security.
In addition to our annual fundraising events — the UNLEASHED gala, and Sporting Clays Shoot, we also host the Texas K9 Officers Conference & Trials. K9s4COPs works to foster relationships between communities and corporations, and their local law enforcement agencies. 

 

Our story has been shared with millions through such broadcasts as The Steve Harvey Show: Harvey’s HerosThe Real Story with Gretchen Carlson on the Fox News Channel and NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams. We’ve been featured in countless articles from trade publications like K-9 Cop Magazine to People Magazine, one of the most read magazines in the country. We’ve even taken a New Year’s Day stroll down Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena, California, for the Tournament of Roses Parade with a 28-foot high floral K9 to raise awareness, share our story, and hopefully encourage others to do the same.
To date- K9s4COPs has placed over 250 K9s resulting in over ONE BILLION DOLLARS in contraband removed from the streets.

 

"Not only are our handlers more equipped to do their job safely and more efficient, but our children's schools and our streets are safer."

- Deputy Clayton Marshall, Harris County Constable Precinct 4

"Having been a K9 handler for ten years, I know firsthand that there is no greater 'tool' that can be utilized in the line of duty. A life saving device that not only becomes our partner, but our best friend, that would give their lives to preserve ours. There is no stronger bond...and for that, I am extremely thankful."

- Deputy James Glaze, Harris County Sheriff’s Office

“If it were not for K9s4COPs, I would not be where I am today in my K-9 career. The impact that K9s4COPs has on the community cannot be measured. Thank you so much K9s4COPs for everything you have done for me and my fellow brothers in blue. My family thanks for you providing the best and bringing me home safe at night."

- Dep. Kenny Taylor, Harris County Sheriff Office

“People do not understand we would not have a career law enforcement without these 4-legged partners. Thank you K9s4COPs for allowing me such a valuable tool to complete my work each and every day. The bad guys are not grateful, but on behalf of me and my family we certainly are!”

- Deputy Larry Graves, Harris County Sheriff's Office