K-9 Courage Program encourages pet owners to “Paws and Give Thanks” to retired military and police dogs on K9 Veterans Day

In honor of National K9 Veterans Day on Wednesday, March 13, the K-9 Courage Program from Zoetis Petcare (a U.S. business unit of Zoetis) called on pet owners and patriots to “Paws and Give Thanks” to retired military and police dogs that have kept our nation safe, according to a release.

National K9 Veterans Day reminds us that heroes come in all shapes and sizes – and even on four legs. To celebrate, K-9 Courage has launched a new partnership with Mission K9 Rescue, a nonprofit organization dedicated to rescuing, reuniting, re-homing, rehabilitating and repairing retired working dogs, to help connect eligible handlers of retired military and police dogs with vital healthcare assistance.

Supporting up to 650 dogs annually, K-9 Courage provides the owner of each dog with a $300 debit card that can be applied toward veterinary expenses, ranging from wellness visits and vaccines to prescription medications and treats.

“K9 Veterans Day is the perfect time to honor retired working dogs for their brave service, which too often gets overlooked or taken for granted,” said J. Michael McFarland, DVM, DABVP, Executive Director, Zoetis Petcare Marketing. “Partnering with Mission K9 Rescue provides Zoetis Petcare with the opportunity to give back to even more retired military and police dogs that have dedicated their lives to provide us with protection, happiness, and freedom, both at home and abroad.”