– Our Mission –
A Commitment to our K9’s, handlers & our community
Our Mission – Our Commitment
At Harlows Heroes, our mission is to honor and support the full journey of working and retired K-9 teams. We are committed to ensuring that the dogs who have faithfully served our communities receive the care, dignity, and recognition they deserve throughout their careers and well into retirement.
We provide essential funding and resources that support every stage of a K-9’s life: emergency and routine medical care, rehabilitative services, nutritional support, protective equipment, training aids, and compassionate end-of-life care. We also work to keep K-9s and their handlers together after retirement by easing financial burdens and helping them access the services and support they need.
Beyond direct care, our mission extends to strengthening the bond between law enforcement and the communities they serve. Through public education and outreach, we raise awareness of the many vital roles K-9s fulfill — from scent detection and tracking to patrol and emotional support — helping people understand not just what these dogs do, but whythey matter. When communities recognize the impact of K-9 teams, they are more likely to stand behind them — in the field, in retirement, and beyond.
Through our initiatives and partnerships, we also promote mental health awareness, support those navigating hardship, and help working dogs transition into retirement, rehoming, or career changes with care and stability.
Harlows Heroes was created to stand beside these teams in every chapter of their service — offering real, reliable support when and where it’s needed most.
More Than A Mission
Our work is rooted in connection — between K-9s and their handlers, between survivors and the law enforcement officers who showed up when it mattered, and between the public and the working dogs who serve every day. Through programs like Give a Hero, Give Hope and the Second Leash Project, we advocate for mental health, support survivors of domestic violence, and create opportunities for meaningful, positive engagement with law enforcement.
By sharing the stories of K-9s — celebrating their career milestones, documenting their achievements, and capturing their legacy through photography — we help the public understand the depth of their service. From patrol and scent detection to tracking and comfort, we highlight the many roles these dogs play and why continued support matters.
Education leads to support — and support is what keeps these teams in the field, where they’re needed most. But it doesn’t end there. When people understand what these dogs do — and how much they give — they’re more likely to stand behind them in retirement, too. That’s why we work to make sure that support continues, through Harlows Heroes and the communities these K-9s served so faithfully.
When Everyone Turns To Them –
They Turn To Us
How Do We Help?
We provide practical, hands-on support to meet the real-world needs of working and retired K-9s — and the handlers who stand beside them. From medical care to enrichment, our programs are designed to make sure no team is ever left without help.
Emergency & Routine Medical Care
We respond quickly to provide urgent and routine care — even for dogs not currently in our program. From emergency surgeries to ongoing treatment, we step in to provide relief when it’s needed most.
Rehabilitation & Mobility Support
For retired K9s facing injury, illness, or degenerative diseases, we offer support that helps them recover, regain comfort, and improve quality of life through targeted rehab and mobility assistance.
Training & Enrichment
We supply the tools K9s need to perform their duties safely and effectively, while also providing enrichment essentials for retired dogs who still benefit from mental and physical stimulation.
Nutritional Support & Supplements
We help cover the cost of quality food and supplements to support long-term health, reduce inflammation, and maintain strength which is especially important for retired K9s and those with chronic conditions.
End Of Life
Services
We assist with at-home euthanasia, cremation services, and final arrangements. Ensuring that every dog is honored with comfort, dignity, and the love they’ve earned.
Access to Partnerships & Discounts
Our partner network gives K9 handlers access to discounted, high-quality products and services — helping them save money while continuing to provide the best for their dogs.
Above All Else, We Are A Lifeline
Whether it’s an emergency, a hard decision, or the quiet weight of doing this work day after day — you are never alone.
Harlows Heroes exists to make sure there’s always someone to call, always a path forward, always a team behind you.
For Every K9, For Every Handler, For Every Moment That Matters.
Unmatched Support
We provide direct assistance to active and retired K-9 teams — including emergency and routine medical care, rehabilitative support, nutritional needs, enrichment, protective equipment, and end-of-life services. Our programs ensure K-9s receive the care they’ve earned, without added burden on their departments or handlers. While our roots are in Connecticut, our mission extends wherever the need exists.
Community Rooted Initiatives
Beyond care, our programs help build meaningful connections between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
Through public outreach and education, we work to raise awareness of the many roles K-9 teams play in keeping communities safe. Our Give a Hero, Give Hope initiative promotes mental health awareness and emotional healing for individuals struggling with anxiety, navigating grief, or facing hardship — with a special focus on survivors of domestic violence. This program also helps shift perceptions by creating opportunities for law enforcement and K-9 teams to engage with the public in positive, personal ways.
We carry that same commitment into the Second Leash Project, which helps place both released and retired working dogs into new homes or alternative careers — offering stability, purpose, and care beyond their original assignment.
Legacy Driven Mission
Our work honors the full journey of every K-9 — from service to retirement. We offer professional free photo sessions to all active and retired K9 teams to preserve their stories, help educate the public on the important roles these K-9’s have in their communities, and reinforce the importance of investing in and maintaining K-9 programs. Every town benefits from having a trained working dog and we aim to build understanding and support that ensures these teams continue to thrive. By increasing visibility and community connection, we hope to help departments gain recognition and funding, while building long-term support for K-9 teams.
Join Us in Honoring Our K9 Heroes
Your support can make a lasting impact for the teams we help, join our mission today!