MEET

RPD Janko

Breed of dogGerman Shepherd

Location of servitudePolice Service of Northern Ireland

Type of serviceGeneral Purpose

ConditionSpondylosis

Grant amount received£100 monthly

  • Retired police dog Janko at night
  • Police dog Janko barks and growls
  • Retired police dog Janko sits on a bench
  • Retired police dog Janko during hydrotherapy

MEET RETIRED POLICE DOG JANKO

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What did Janko’s daily life look like as a police dog?

“Janko had a very successful career with many catches including vehicle thieves, burglars, and domestic violence offenders. He also helped to locate missing persons.”

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What are some of the highlights of Janko’s career?

“I was especially proud of Janko locating a male who had assaulted an OAP when he had to negotiate several fences over a large area of ground. This turned out to be the same male he had previously caught for stealing a motorbike.”

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What does retirement look like for Janko?

“Retirement has turned out to suit Janko well and he especially enjoys going to the beach for a swim. He will happily stay in the water as long as he can, despite me being ready to leave!”

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How is Janko’s health?

Janko was diagnosed with spondylosis at just five and had to retire early. The condition impacted his quality of life hugely as he struggled to go for walks and lost a lot of muscle mass. But fortnightly hydrotherapy has given him a new lease of life. 

HOW WE HELPED RETIRED POLICE DOG JANKO IN RETIREMENT

RPD Janko served as a general purpose police dog with Police Service Northern Ireland or three years. He was partnered with Andrew but, sadly, he was diagnosed with spondylosis in 2021 and retired early, at the age of five. 

Andrew said: “Janko was in a lot of pain and was very unsteady on his backend. I felt his future looked bleak when he retired because he had trouble going for walks and lost a lot of muscle mass. 

“We were recommended hydrotherapy and the Thin Blue quickly stepped in to fund the sessions. Janko took to hydrotherapy very quickly.

Police dog Janko barks and growls
Retired police dog Janko during hydrotherapy

“The treatment has given him a new lease of life; the changes in him are unbelievable. He has regained muscle and movement in his joints and now enjoys daily exercise without pain or difficult moving.” 

Now eight, Janko has a much better quality of life thanks to his regular treatment. And the financial support has helped Andrew. 

He added: “Without the assistance of the Thin Blue Paw hydrotherapy would have been very expensive to fund myself.” 

Retired police dog Janko at night

“The Thin Blue Paw is vital for providing necessary treatments for our police dogs who are extremely under-supported by their respective forces after retirement.”

Andrew, Janko’s former handler and owner

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