Police dogs set for life
Last Edited: Tuesday, 08 Jul 2008, 6:49 PM EDT Police dogs set for life
Last Edited: Tuesday, 08 Jul 2008, 6:49 PM EDT
Created: Tuesday, 08 Jul 2008, 6:49 PM EDT
Police dogs don't get medical benefits once they retire. We've got you covered
WINTER HAVEN - Sabo, a K-9 who is now retired from the Winter Haven Police Department, had a
short career. Most K-9s work eight years, maybe more. Sabo worked less than two, because he was
injured on the job. He broke a bone which didn't heal correctly. That opened the door to arthritis and
bone spurs.
"In here it's bone on bone," Dr. Mitsie Vargas said as she looked at an x-ray of Sabo's elbow. Vargas
is a veterinarian who takes care of Winter Haven's police dogs.
"Every time he flexes that elbow, it hurts" she explained.
Sabo's injuries, which are expected to get progressively worse, forced him to stop working. This is just
the beginning of his medical bills. Sabo's medications run about $200 a month. Since there is no
pension fund for K-9s, his former partner, a police officer, will end up paying for the dog's care for the
rest of his life. Vargas thinks that is simply wrong.
"I feel that it is the least we can do to make sure in their golden years they are taken care of," she told
FOX 13.
Vargas just founded "K-9 for Life," the first known organization of its kind. It is dedicated to raising
money to care for retired K-9s. There are a lot of them. Only the smallest law enforcement agencies
don't have K-9 units.
Vargas hopes "K-9 for Life" motivates people across the country to start similar groups to help take
care of the dogs who have protected them.
To Contact Dr. Vargas you can email her at Drv@k-9forlife.com You can also call for more information
at 863-324-6964.
Last Edited: Tuesday, 08 Jul 2008, 6:49 PM EDT Police dogs set for life
Last Edited: Tuesday, 08 Jul 2008, 6:49 PM EDT
Created: Tuesday, 08 Jul 2008, 6:49 PM EDT
Police dogs don't get medical benefits once they retire. We've got you covered
WINTER HAVEN - Sabo, a K-9 who is now retired from the Winter Haven Police Department, had a
short career. Most K-9s work eight years, maybe more. Sabo worked less than two, because he was
injured on the job. He broke a bone which didn't heal correctly. That opened the door to arthritis and
bone spurs.
"In here it's bone on bone," Dr. Mitsie Vargas said as she looked at an x-ray of Sabo's elbow. Vargas
is a veterinarian who takes care of Winter Haven's police dogs.
"Every time he flexes that elbow, it hurts" she explained.
Sabo's injuries, which are expected to get progressively worse, forced him to stop working. This is just
the beginning of his medical bills. Sabo's medications run about $200 a month. Since there is no
pension fund for K-9s, his former partner, a police officer, will end up paying for the dog's care for the
rest of his life. Vargas thinks that is simply wrong.
"I feel that it is the least we can do to make sure in their golden years they are taken care of," she told
FOX 13.
Vargas just founded "K-9 for Life," the first known organization of its kind. It is dedicated to raising
money to care for retired K-9s. There are a lot of them. Only the smallest law enforcement agencies
don't have K-9 units.
Vargas hopes "K-9 for Life" motivates people across the country to start similar groups to help take
care of the dogs who have protected them.
To Contact Dr. Vargas you can email her at Drv@k-9forlife.com You can also call for more information
at 863-324-6964.
In the news...
Dr. Vargas getting ready for her interview with Fox 13.
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
Click to listen to Dr. Vargas to blog talk radio,
discussing current events in the K-9 world.
This show aired Saturday August 9th at 8pm
on the Aaron J Scott Show.
discussing current events in the K-9 world.
This show aired Saturday August 9th at 8pm
on the Aaron J Scott Show.