On Saturday 14 August 2021, some colleagues and I will be running and/or cycling as far as we can in 12 hours to try and raise awareness of and money for the Thin Blue Paw Foundation, a national charity supporting serving and retired police dogs from across the United Kingdom.

Many people are unaware that retired police dogs do not receive financial support in their retirement from the force they served with, meaning the responsibility for their care and vet bills fall solely to their ex-handler or new owner. Unable to get pet insurance due to their working life, many are left with ongoing vet bills which can amount to thousands. The foundation provides much needed financial support to these unsung canine heroes.

Some of my colleagues retired working dogs are currently awaiting registration with the Foundation, some are already registered and some have already received financial assistance with vet bills. 

Hopefully over the course of the next few months, and with the permission of their owners/handlers, I will be sharing pictures of their retired working dogs (RPD) and possibly their serving working dogs (PD) as well as some of my colleagues are lucky enough to have both.

I have also set myself a personal goal of achieving a distance of 50 miles in the 12 hour period set!

Best wishes,

Phil and PD Hörbi