K9s for Camo provides service dogs for veterans but once a year, our bylaws allow a dog to go to a deserving member of law enforcement. Former Taney County, MO deputy Darin Carter received his dog, Dozer, in November of 2022. In this episode, he explains what happened on the job in 2016 that changed his life and how Dozer is now his own first responder.

Behind every good fundraiser you'll find hardworking volunteers trying to turn fun into money.  Taylor Hayes and Joy Weis are meeting for lunch to go over plans for Tails & Ales, one of K9s for Camo's biggest money makers.  So many details have to be ironed out and Lissa wants to get a first look at what donors can expect when they arrive on April 11th.   As it turns out, she's late to lunch because another fundraiser is starting to percolate.

On November 17th, 2021 Kelly Brown got a knock on her door and saw two police officers with stricken faces.  They were there to tell her their colleague, her husband Matt, had taken his own life.  He had served 21 years as a police officer, 25 years in the National Guard.  This episode depicts Kelly's heartbreaking experience as she and her children learn to live without the man they loved- a soldier and officer who finally gave up fighting against his past trauma.

For 20 years, retired Army ranger,  Dan Holman dreaded going to sleep.   Nearly every night he would have terrifying nightmares caused by PTSD and they made sleep fitful and scary.  Lissa met Dan and his wife, Julie, in April of 2022 and then again 10 months later, before and after they welcomed a dog named Niko into their home.  Will Niko be the answer to calming Dan's sleep and alleviating his anxiety in public?  We find out in this episode.

September 17th and 18th was hot in Springfield, Missouri and running a booth at Cider Days required shade, water and dog treats.  Producer Lissa Hamblen is one of the board members spending time at the K9s for Camo booth where t-shirts, coloring sheets and stickers awaited our visitors.  Even service dog, Banks joined in, looking dignified in his signature jacket.  Several people who approached our tent had stories of service.  Others had stories of struggle that keeps them fighting the same battle they thought they had left in the war zones.

At the Sho-Me Jeepers event, drivers had coolers, radios, maps, etc. packed in their jeeps ahead of the three-hour run.  One of them, Jessica Mooney, carried something else in her backseat - three puppies.  In this episode, she describes to Lissa Hamblen how she wants to be a trainer for K9s for Camo and Founder John Lopez explains why people like Jessica are so desperately needed.

When jeep lovers get together on a Saturday for some backroad fun, K9s for Camo is riding shotgun.  Lissa and Joy find out how these local jeep enthusiasts use their passion for the vehicle to benefit their local community.  In the ride on September 10th- K9's for Camo received the proceeds.

In this episode, Lissa honors the work of K9 "Lor" who became a fan favorite on Live PD.  "Lor" took down hundreds of suspects during his law enforcement career and was a beloved family dog in his retirement.  After many illnesses, the strong, powerful former officer died at age 13 but his impact in Greene County will live on.  

Charity organizations live and die on money and there's never enough.  On June 23, 2022, the K9s for Camo board and Executive Director, Joy Weiss crossed their fingers that a fundraiser at a local brewery would bring enough interested donors to fund the services provided to veterans.  This episode starts with podcast producer, Lissa Hamblen completing one small but important task that will be critical to making a good impression on this important night.  Will the event bring the money?  Stay till the end of the episode to find out, PLUS we're starting our training tips with our expert staff.  

In August of 2021, an 11-month of puppy was found in a desperate situation.  The white Great Pyrenees mix had his front paws bound together and some awful person had thrown him into a creek.  With sheer will and determination, the puppy scraped and paddled to the banks of the water and was rescued.  "Banks" soon was in the hands of John Lopez, the founder of K9s for Camo and he was about to embark on an experience that took him to prison, to a loving foster and now to a veteran who needs a gentle giant of a dog to help him avoid falling.  

This is the first meeting of "Banks" and Vietnam veteran, Jim Fite.  Fittingly, they will spend their first night together on Memorial Day weekend.