RETIRED POLICE DOG KAISER

Rescue dog Kaiser was 10-months-old when he joined the Ministry of Defence as a general puprose dog. He was paired with handler, Ian Brake, and the duo patrolled an atomic weapons establishment in Berkshire. 

When he fell down a hole while on night shift and broke his leg his career ended – but his life with Ian, and his wife, Heather, had only just begun. The German shepherd retired to live with the couple and has been doted on. 

But, after a serious leg break and long working life, he was suffering from arthritis and spondylosis. As an ex-working dog, he’s uninsurable. He has weekly hydrotherapy, costing £45 a session, as well as a daily immunosuppressant, costing £5 per tablet, plus regular pain relief, supplements and other treatments like canine massage. 

“Hydrotherapy really helps Kaiser live life to the full and that’s all that matters to us,” Heather said. “We’ve paid for it for almost five years now and we’ve always managed it. He comes first. 

“But times have been really tough during Covid. I’m a dog walker and my business has taken a huge hit. We also have a young son, Benji, who isn’t cheap! So when we registered with the Thin Blue Paw Foundation and saw that they were offering grants to retired working dogs with ongoing treatments we sent in an application and were absolutely thrilled when he was accepted.”

The charity has agreed to pay for 22 sessions of hydrotherapy, giving Heather and Ian some financial respite.

You can help us support retired police dogs like Kaiser by making a one-off or monthly donation today!