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You have to love a fundraiser where the guests of honor are four-legged cuties ready for pats, some play and a belly rub from total strangers, but can go into serious work mode at the drop of a dog biscuit. It’s also nice to chat informally with the proud officers who guide their trusted K-9 partners as they face intricate and dangerous situations together as a team. Heroes With Paws is the perfect opportunity to interact with law enforcement and dog trainers, too, while learning more about what they do. It’s also a great time for a sincere thank you to the officers, as well as a: “You’re a good boy. Yes, you are!” to some special dogs.
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Retired duo Randy Stein and Blitz…Blitz was a 2020 America’s Top Dog winner on A&E Network.
On Wednesday, Sept. 20, around 200 guests made their way to Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum to support the nonprofit that helps fund K-9 units around Colorado. A total of 14 law enforcement city, county and state agencies—including a unit that traveled from Colorado Springs—were on hand to show off their teams at a meet-and-greet reception and silent auction, followed by a number of demonstrations that ranged from drug searches to attack scenarios. It’s all in a day’s work for these extraordinary K-9 teams.
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Gorgeous dog, ready for anything
Heroes with Paws partners with Back the Blue K-9 Force, a nonprofit that provides support for law enforcement K-9s. Back the Blue was created in 2016, and in 2018 Heroes with Paws became its signature event designed to showcase local law enforcement K-9s. Training for a dog can cost $20,000 and even up to $50,000, depending on the specialty involved. Money raised by Heroes With Paws goes to protective vests and supplies needed by the K-9s to do their jobs, costs that are usually unbudgeted and unfunded. For more information and to donate, go to: HeroesWithPaws.org.
- Candace Gray and Bear
- Meet-and-greet personified
- From Broomfield Police: Cmd. Nobi Gailus (left) and Sgt. Jason Collins
- Jeff and Maggie Wheeler
- Kyle Winters and K-9 partner
- From Colorado State Patrol: Rob Hampton with Oly, and Crystal Crenshaw with Scout
- The Winters famiy: (l to r): Nora, Millie, Jillian, Kyle and K-9 dog Duke
- Crystal Renshaw and Scout, with guests Liam and Joanna
- Calculating a bid
- At the silent auction
- Event organizer and co-sponsor Lyn Schaffer, with DPD K-9 officers
- Guests could interact with officers and their dogs.
- Jeff and Heidi Mulqueen, with Maverick
- Deb Roos (left) and Kati Harken
- From Greenwood Village Police: Juan Villalva, honored for saving a life while on duty.
- Maureen and Juan Villavla, with Juan’s K-9 partner
- Cordelia Bowlus (left) and Carrie Bowlus, from Canine Rehabilitation and Conditioning Group
- Julie Newes and Cyder
- Cyder is ready for a closeup.
- Adam Nardi and Riley, from Arapahoe County
- Emo, with Denver Police officers
- Gorgeous dog, ready for anything
- Dean Borgh and Diane Clow
- A friendly server at the beverage station
- Landon Stinnett and Jasmine Harris, with Sandy Miller and Wrigley
- Aurora Police officers with K-9 Magnum
- Event organizer Darby Kelly and emcee Gordon Carroll
- Laura and Brian Cossey
- Ron and Mary Schuster (left), with Merideth and John Munn
- A friendly Bear
- While covering the event for Denver7, this photojournalist had a great time getting to know Cyder.
- Event co-organizer Darby Kelly (left), with Jhohana and Freddie Madrigdal
- Chatting with a K-9 team
- This pointer really does point when he catches the scent of illegal drugs.
- Retired duo Randy Stein and Blitz…Blitz was a 2020 America’s Top Dog winner on A&E Network.
- Dep. Travis Jones and Zeke, Arapahoe County
- Tom and Michelle Chesson
- Rust is sittin’ pretty.
- Jefferson County, front and center
- From Jefferson County and Lakewood Police (l to r): Jaco Smith, Andy Dillman, Kyle Winters
- Police dog trainer Sandy Miller
- Denise Feudner and Austin Spear, 2021 Greenwood Village Police Officer of the Year, with Mercury