K-9 HERO HAVEN INC

K9 Hero Haven is a non-profit 501(c)(3) volunteer organization founded in August, 2015, dedicated to providing a home to retired working dogs. In January, 2025, K9 Hero Haven relocated to Danville, Pennsylvania. Our new single floor 6,000 sq. ft. facility is in a former veterinary hospital. All dogs are in climate controlled facilities with a built-in septic system and drains for easy clean up as well as a dog wash station. Additionally, there are several individual rooms for dogs needing 'space', three large fenced-in rec yards, and built-in ramps for dogs with mobility issues. This new building greatly enhances the quality of life for the dogs and improves the ease of care and maintenance for our volunteer staff.
Our 'clientele' come from military, government contractor, and law enforcement agencies. We accept retired working dogs that aren't in the care of their handlers, caring for them until they can be safely placed in a comfortable, loving home.

Anne Gibbs, the founder of K9 Hero Haven, loves dogs and was interested in adopting one being retired from service. K9 Hero Haven began with our first working dog, K9 Sheera, a Belgian Malinois. Sheera retired from service in 2012 after seven years with US Customs and Border Protection, serving as a narcotics and human detection dog. Her handler wasn't able to keep her. Anne's friend, a Customs and Border Protection employee, worked with Sheera's handler. Anne learned of Sheera through her friend and adopted her. Sheera was initially aggressive towards other dogs, especially smaller ones. Anne worked with her to overcome her aggressiveness. Anne and Sheera were soon inseparable. Anne realized she'd found her calling in life and knew she had to open her home to working dogs like Sheera. Sheera lived to 17.5 years, spending her final 10 years in retirement with Anne. Sheera was one of K9 Hero Haven's best ambassadors, attending many public events. As fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan waned, more and more working dogs were retired from service. Many had health issues, such as PTSD and cancer, from their service. Few of those heroes were accepted by anyone. Anne learned those that weren't accepted would be euthanized, something Anne couldn't allow to happen.

Military Working Dogs are owned and trained by the Department of Defense to serve in combat. Contract Working Dogs are owned and trained by civilian contractors and work alongside our military personnel in countries such as Afghanistan, Syria, and Iraq. In addition to the combat hazards, many have also been exposed to toxins in the environment. Some have developed symptoms of PTSD, just as our military personnel have. Law enforcement working dogs (K-9s) have served government agencies such as Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Department of Agriculture, and others. Some served in state, county, and local law enforcement agencies. All undergo extensive training prior to and after being turned over to their handler. All have earned the right to a comfortable retirement with a good family.

The working dogs at K9 Hero Haven served their country, state, or local community in extremely dangerous and often harsh environments where they give their life, if necessary, to protect their handler and fellow warriors or law enforcement partners. Working dogs undergo extensive training before being placed in the care of a handler. These 'warrior dogs' are then placed in the lead in highly dangerous and harsh environments to detect the presence of enemy combatants/armed suspects, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), drugs, and other hazards. Their role is to detect those hazards and alert their handler so the threat can be mitigated before anyone is injured or killed. They work until their mission is complete, regardless of time of day, weather, geographical conditions, or duration of the operation. This takes a toll on the minds and bodies of both the working dog and handler. However military and contract working dogs, unlike their handler, serve until there's no longer a need for their service or until their body has been 'used up.' They're then 'retired' like so much used military hardware.

Working dogs are generally large breeds (most of ours are German or Dutch Shepherds and Belgian Malinois) and have a high energy drive. The Malinois in particular are very athletic and possess high energy. All working dogs are selected, in part, for their aggressiveness. While these are desirable traits for a working dog, they make adoption more difficult. Anne has taken all she can; knowing many cannot be rehabilitated and/or adopted out. Her idea was a simple one. Provide a retirement home for those returning heroes that worked every day, going in harm's way, risking their lives and limbs for each of us. The environments they served in were harsh and the hazards, many. It took a toll on many of those heroes that served us at our will, on our terms, with no choice in their service.

K9 Hero Haven reunites working dogs with their former handlers, whenever possible. Those that aren't reunited are afforded the opportunity to 'decompress' from their stressful lives. Those retired hero working dogs are provided a good life in a home with a loving family whenever possible. Those that can abate their volatility are often good candidates for adoption. When adopting, our priority is to military and law enforcement veterans to honor their commitment and sacrifice to us. Those unable to resolve their aggression remain in retirement at K9 Hero Haven where they're cared for in a comfortable environment. As of May 2024, we've adopted out 410 working dogs and reunited an additional 20 with their handlers. We've adopted out and/or reunited dogs as far away as Florida, Utah, and Alaska!

A couple of our adoption stories:

K9 Hero Haven adoption of CWD Wito to Tom in PA-

"Tom's career spanned 34 years between active duty and reserve. He retired as a CSM. Tom served in the Infantry, Airborne, and Civil Affairs, among other jobs during his service. He has been to 21 countries, including Iraq and Afghanistan. He's been awarded two Bronze Star Medals, a Meritorious Service Medal, a Joint Commendation Medal, five Army Commendation Medals, a United Nations Humanitarian Medal, Army and Navy Presidential Unit Citations, a Combat Action Badge, and a Parachutist Badge.

Tom lived with his dogs Tiberius Claudius Maximus, CWD Banjer, and CWD Gino (both of whom were adopted from K9 Hero Haven). Unfortunately all three dogs have passed away in the last two months due to cancer. CWD Wito is his third adoption from K9 Hero haven. All three dogs he adopted came home "red flagged." Tom has always been an adopter who would help the more difficult dogs that come home with "issues."

Tom works in Engineering at the Coatesville VA Hospital. Tom and his dogs also volunteer extensively with the PTSD ward doing pet therapy. They enjoy kayaking and hiking. CWD Wito is a nine year old Belgian Shepherd who retired out early after serving in Iraq. He had behavioral issues and was aggressive at times. He came to K9 Hero Haven in 2019."

K9 Hero Haven adoption of CWD Kelly 2 to her handler Bill in Arizona-

"My name is Bill. I started in law enforcement in 2001, working for the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections. My career led to me working as a Narcotics Detection K9 Handler for the Inspections & Investigations Team. My partner Rain and I worked Narcotics Detection together until my departure from ADJC in late 2009.

In 2010, I was contacted by American K9 Detection Services about a position as a Dual Purpose Explosives Detection/Patrol K9 Handler in Afghanistan. I accepted it and was sent to Hill Country Dog Center in San Antonio, TX for training. I was matched up with my new K9 partner CWD Kelly! From that moment on, Kelly and I spent day and night together training and bonding for our journey that lay ahead. Kelly and I certified as a Dual Purpose Explosives Detection/Patrol team on July 15th, 2010, by the Hill Country Dog Center and the USAF. After our certification, we were separated as all the K9s would be 'fixed,' while the handlers were sent to Fort Benning, GA for Army training prior to deployment to Afghanistan. Upon completion and medical screening at Fort Benning, we were sent to Dubai and on to Kandahar, Afghanistan for team assignments. Kelly and I were stationed at Kandahar with the US Army 632nd Movement Control Team. Our days and nights were spent working 12 hour shifts outside the base at the Kandahar Transshipment Yard, searching every vehicle entering the base. Kelly and all the K9s had several "alerts" on hidden explosives, saving numerous lives.

In mid-2011, I left Kandahar and returned home. CWD Kelly was assigned a new handler until this year when she was retired. I kept in contact with AMK9 and Kelly's handlers since leaving Afghanistan. I made it clear I wanted to adopt Kelly when she retired. On September 6th, I was contacted by the AMK9 Deputy Program Manager who put me in touch with Anne Gibbs of K9 Hero Haven. CWD Kelly had finally retired and was back in the states. I immediately put in the needed paperwork to adopt Kelly, and in a few days, we will finally be reunited with each other!! I am beyond grateful for everyone's help in making this upcoming day happen and can't wait to have Kelly home with my wife and me.

I really appreciate your help in making this happen. I still can't believe it!"

(From Anne Gibbs) "CWD Kelly 2 is a 9.5 year old female Belgian Malinois recently retired from Afghanistan. Thank you both for your service and giving CWD Kelly 2 a wonderful retirement home where I know she will be loved and spoiled."