Supporting Police K9s in Need
Help Us Help Them
Paws 4 Blue K-9 is dedicated to supporting active and retired police K9s across the United States. Through the Buddy Foundation, we provide financial assistance for critical needs. Every donation made and merchandise purchased through our on line store will benefit the Buddy Foundation and make a difference.
TOGETHER, WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Police K9s dedicate their lives to serving alongside their handlers and protecting their communities. Retired K9s have already given years of service and remain beloved members of their handlers' families.
Your donation, purchase, sponsorship or support helps us continue our mission.
Help us honor their service.
Help us support their needs.
Help us keep K9 Buddy's legacy alive.
Our story began with K9 Buddy, a devoted police K9 who served alongside his handler, Officer Sean Ford, with the Palmer Police Department in Massachusetts.
In 2014, our founder, Jan Garabedian, began helping raise funds to support the local police K9 program. What started as community fundraising soon became something much larger.
Through conversations with K9 handlers and years of fundraising, Jan saw firsthand that some police K9 programs face significant funding challenges. She also recognized an important need to help retired police K9s after their years of dedicated service.
K9 Buddy made a lasting impact on Jan and became the inspiration behind Paws 4 Blue K-9.
WHY WAS PAWS 4 BLUE K-9 FORMED
Paws 4 Blue K-9 was created to take that mission beyond local fundraising and help eligible police K9 teams across the country.
In memory of K9 Buddy and to continue his legacy, the Buddy Foundation was established to provide financial assistance to qualifying active and retired police K9s in need.
Today, we continue Buddy's legacy by bringing together K9 supporters, law enforcement families, businesses and communities who believe these extraordinary dogs deserve our support.
MEET THE K9’S
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K-9 BUDDY PALMER MASSACHUSETTS POLICE DEPARTMENT
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SGT DIANA GLINIECKI & K-9 SAMPSON WARE MASSACHUSETTS POLICE DEPARTMENT
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K-9 REX MONSON MASSACHUSETTS POLICE DEPARTMENT
PAWS 4 BLUE K-9
K-9 Rex and Jan
Paws 4 Blue K-9 founder Jan Garabedian with K9 Rex of the Monson Massachusetts Police Department
K-9 Buddy and Officer Ford
K9 Buddy with handler Officer Sean Ford of the Palmer Massachusetts Police Department
Thank you for taking the time to learn more about Paws 4 Blue K-9. My name is Jan Garabedian, founder of Paws 4 Blue K-9 (P4BK9). For several years, I have dedicated myself to raising funds and providing support for Police K9s and their handlers in Massachusetts and beyond.
How Paws 4 Blue K-9 Began
I have always been an animal lover, and coming from a law enforcement and military family gave me a deep appreciation for those who serve and protect our communities.
The inspiration behind Paws 4 Blue K-9 began with a very special Police K9 named Buddy.
K9 Buddy proudly served the Palmer Police Department in Massachusetts alongside his handler, Sean Ford, for six years. Paws 4 Blue K-9 was formed in Buddy's memory and continues his legacy by helping other Police K9 teams receive the support they need.
When I first met Buddy in 2014, I never imagined where that meeting would eventually lead me. If someone had told me then that I would one day be running an organization dedicated to supporting Police K9s, I probably would have told them they were crazy.
Yet here we are—and I am incredibly honored to be doing something that means so much to me.
Why Police K9 Teams Need Our Help
Many people may not realize that Police K9 programs can depend heavily on donations, fundraising, and community support, particularly in smaller cities and towns where funding may be limited.
The costs associated with maintaining a Police K9 program can include training, specialized equipment, veterinary care, food, protective gear, and other essential expenses. When sufficient funding is not available, departments and handlers may face difficult financial challenges.
These remarkable Police K9s work alongside their handlers to protect our communities, locate missing people, assist law enforcement, detect dangerous substances, and help save lives.
They deserve our support.
The need can become even greater after a Police K9 retires. Once their service ends, ongoing expenses such as veterinary care and other necessities can become the responsibility of their handler and family.
A Police K9's service may end at retirement, but our gratitude and responsibility to these incredible dogs should not.
Continuing K9 Buddy's Legacy
Over the years, I continued organizing fundraisers to support local Police K9 programs. After Buddy retired, I began helping additional departments and K9 teams.
The work became incredibly rewarding. I knew I was doing something meaningful for a cause I truly believed in.
Eventually, I realized I had a choice: I could continue helping individual Police K9 programs locally, or I could build something capable of reaching K9 teams on a much larger scale.
That realization led to the creation of Paws 4 Blue K-9 and, in the fall of 2022, The Buddy Foundation, established in loving memory of K9 Buddy.
Buddy and Sean were fortunate to have the financial support they needed during their years together. I wanted to help provide that same opportunity to other Police K9 teams.
Through The Buddy Foundation, qualifying Police K9 teams in need can apply for assistance.
More Than Working Dogs
Police K9s are much more than working dogs.
They are partners, protectors, companions, and beloved members of their handlers' families.
The bond between a Police K9 and handler is incredibly powerful. They train together, work together, face dangerous situations together, and trust one another every day.
When the uniform comes off and the working day ends, that partnership doesn't simply disappear. These dogs go home with their handlers and are part of their families.
That bond can last a lifetime.
Help Us Support Police K9s
Our mission at Paws 4 Blue K-9 is to support Police K9 teams and help ensure that active and retired Police K9s receive the assistance they deserve.
When you shop with Paws 4 Blue K-9, a portion of the proceeds from our store helps support The Buddy Foundation. In addition, 100% of donations to the foundation go directly toward supporting its mission.
Whether you make a donation, purchase from our store, attend one of our fundraising events, share our mission, or become a supporter, you are helping us continue K9 Buddy's legacy and make a difference for Police K9 teams in need.
Together, we can support the paws that enforce the laws.
Thank you for supporting Paws 4 Blue K-9, The Buddy Foundation, Police K9s, and the handlers who stand beside them every day.
