THE NATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR RETIRED SERVICE ANIMALS IS RAISING FUNDS TO HELP RETIRED POLICE DOG KEELA - KENT CONSTABULARY.

Retired Police Dog Keela served in the Kent Constabulary for over 9 years, keeping the public safe, helping to detain endless suspects, and working as a Firearms Support Dog - and she now needs your help.

From 6 months it was clear to her handler, Sam, that she was independent and unruly and true to form she remained that way for nearly ten years! On one occasion, recalls Sam, two males were running from the police. Keela chased them over a wall. Sam climbed over after Keela, not realising how high it was and she fell, getting her foot caught in some branches, and ending up hanging upside down. While Sam was trying to untangle herself, she heard noises and Keela barking. When Keela returned to her handler for instruction, she was given the command to bite - which Keela obligingly did, except it was Sam's arm! Sam is sure Keela laughed as she yelled, but Keela was soon back on track and she detained both suspects immediately afterwards.

Throughout her career, Keela always had Sam's back and was her first line of defence. Whether it was chasing suspects, supporting firearms officers, helping control public disorder situations, or gently find vulnerable people, Keela's loyalty was unfailing. As a result their bond is unbreakable and when Keela retired, having worked a year longer than most police dogs, it was perfectly natural that Sam and Keela would remain together, and so they did.

RPD Keela was thoroughly enjoying her 'Paws Up', however, during August, and as a dog handler with over 20 years of experience, Sam knew something was not right with her girl. Keela was restless, in pain and clearly needed help. Sam's experience meant she immediately suspected a stomach torsion, which in German Shepherds is life-threatening. She took her to the vets, who performed an emergency operation in the middle of the night to save Keela's life.

Without the surgery she would have died. Without Sam - she would have died.

The vets bill was originally over £6,000 but in recognition of Keela's exemplary service to her community, they agreed to reduce it by 20%, for which we are extremely grateful - but Sam needed some assistance with the bill and she turned to us at The National Foundation for Retired Service Animals, while Keela recuperated at home.

The NFRSA is a non-profit organisation (with application for charitable status pending), set up in May of this year to help the owners of retired animals from the emergency services and beyond - namely, the police, prison, fire, and border force - with medical and veterinary bills during their well-deserved retirement.

During their careers, all needs are met for service animals. But as soon as they retire that funding stops. Additionally, It is impossible to obtain meaningful insurance for these brave dogs due to the work they have done, as well as the demands on their bodies. Insurance companies are reticent to provide cover at an affordable cost, meaning the owners of retired dogs can face crippling vets bills.

Therefore, The NFRSA has pledged to be there for Sam and Keela by covering the total cost of that bill, but we need your help. (Sam told us she would have re-mortgaged her house to pay for her companion's medical needs, but together we can prevent this from happening.)

Please donate whatever you can to contribute to the cost of saving this brave lady's life. Keela dedicated her entire working career to keeping us all safe - in her retirement, it is the least we can do to help her in her hour of need.

Any funds raised over and above our target will go directly to help other brave service animals who also may need our help in their twilight years.

In Sam's own words:

Your support is hugely appreciated, not just by us at The NFRSA - but also by Sam and RPD Keela. They have asked us to say a personal 'Thank you'.

The National Foundation for Retired Service Animals https://www.nfrsa.org.uk

A non-profit organisation registered in the UK Company Number: 13931696