NYPD announced that the NYPD K9s are helping to bring cheer to military dogs deployed overseas this holiday season by collecting toys, treats and equipment.
The NY Post reports that the good boys and girls of NYPD and their handlers conducted a drive with Blue Lives Matter-NYC K9, the NYC Department of Corrections and law enforcement motorcycle club Vigilance LEMC to collect donations.
Uswardogs.org reports that there are around 700 Military Service Dogs currently fighting in Afghanistan.
A spokesperson for NYPD told The NY Post that the operation collected around 30 boxes, which are being sent to Afghanistan.
NYPD Special Ops shared the announcement on Twitter, Wednesday. The tweet read, “NYPD ESU K9 started their #BlackFriday shopping early this year. They took part in ‘Operation War Dogs,’ which collects donated supplies for our nation’s military working canines. Thank you letters, toys & equipment such as goggles will be shipped to K9 units on active deployment.”
NYPD ESU K9 started their #BlackFriday shopping early this year. They took part in “Operation War Dogs” which collects donated supplies for our nation’s military working canines. Thank you letters, toys & equipment such as goggles will be shipped to K9 units on active deployment. pic.twitter.com/LcBhalHMse
— NYPD Special Ops (@NYPDSpecialops) November 29, 2019
K9 Timoshenko, K9 Marci, and K9 Russel helped package donations with students of PS 373R in Staten Island.
K9 Timoshenko was injured while on the job. ABC reported that in 2017, the pup fell through a ceiling while searching a Brooklyn house for guns. The pup was named after Staten Island Detective Russel Timoshenko, who was killed in the line of duty in 2007.
NYPD Special Ops also shared a special thank you on Twitter, which read “Thank you #NYPD ESU #K9 Freedom, Marci & Russel for lending a paw to help make Operation War Dogs a huge success. The collected supplies & treats are boxed up and on the way to our military canine partners on active deployment. @saszeephotography”
Officials even allowed K9 Russel to keep something from the drive, NYPD news shared an image of K9 Russel decked out in a sweater. The tweet read, “We told K9 Russel he could keep one thing, and he chose the sweater. As part of ‘Operation War Dogs,’ @NYPDSpecialops K9s & their partners collected donations for dog toys, treats & equipment. The supplies will be shipped to good boys & girls on military deployment overseas.”
We told K9 Russel he could keep one thing, and he chose the sweater. ♂️
As part of “Operation War Dogs,” @NYPDSpecialops K9s & their partners collected donations for dog toys, treats & equipment. The supplies will be shipped to good boys &
girls on military deployment overseas. pic.twitter.com/SK00ZYBLQa— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) December 4, 2019
It was reported that this is the first ‘Operation War Dogs’ donation drive between the organizations, and it was so well received they are already preparing for next year.
If you’re interested in helping out some U.S. Military Working dogs and their Handlers this holiday season, the U.S. War Dogs Association offers a few ways to help. Below are a few of their suggestions:
• You can make a general monetary donation, which would allow us to purchase the needed items to include in our care packages for our U.S. Military Working dogs and their Handlers.
• You can make a specific monetary donation, whereas you specify what items you would like us to include in a care package, which would be sent in your name.
• You can purchase and donate the items to us to include in our care packages.
Below is a list of items from uswardogs.org to donate to help the working dogs:
• K9 Doggles (Ruffwear or Muttluks)
• Collapsible Nylon Dog Bowls
• Kongs (large only)
• Kong 3” Rubber Balls
• K9 Shampoo (Oatmeal)
• K9 Grooming Tools, Furminators, etc.
• K9 Sleeping Mats
• K9 Toothpaste and Brush
• K9 Eye Drops
• K9 Ear Wash
• K9 Advantix, Flea and Tick Treatment
• K9 Salves for paws/noses
• Towels to wipe paws
• K9 jerky, Beer, Rice, Vegetable, etc.
• Small boxes of Dog Biscuits (all dog treats must be made in the USA)
• Dog wipes
• Dog sanitation bags (poop bags)
