Our Story

In 2014 the Palmer Police Department in Massachusetts implemented their K-9 program and K-9 Buddy joined the department. The K-9 program was not part of the Police Departments annual budget. It relied on donations and fundraisers to remain active. Pictured here are David Oliveira and Jan Garabedian who held the Benefit for Buddy fundraisers. K9 Buddy was an exceptional police dog. K9 Buddy served the department for 6 distinguished years and passed away on April 1, 2022.

K9 Buddy from the Palmer, MA Police Department

K-9 Buddy served the community proud. He was a dual purpose police dog who assisted with numerous motor vehicle searches, tracks for missing or wanted persons as well as searches for articles. He assisted cities and towns throughout Western Massachusetts with demonstrations, school searches and crowd control.

K9 Buddy from the Palmer, MA Police Department attending the stuff the cruiser event

WHY WE EXIST

Throughout the years of fundraising, it was K9 Buddy that inspired Jan to continue her journey. She fell in love with him the moment she met him. Learning about the K9 program and how it impacted the communities that they serve. These dogs put their life on the line everyday to keep us and their handler safe. Learning that all across America, there are police agencies that do not have a budget for them was heartbreaking. Retired K9s lose any benefits they may have had. They also deserve funds in return for their commitment that they unselfishly served.

K9 Buddy retired on February 16, 2021. He was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer in September 2021 and passed away on April 1, 2022. Her fundraising allowed his handler to medically treat Buddy and keep him comfortable and around as long as possible.

Because of K9 Buddy’s passing, this is what inspired Jan to fight for other dogs in need of funds. It was K9 Buddy that started her love for Police dogs and “The Buddy Foundation” would be created.

IT ALL STARTED WITH K9 BUDDY

K9 Buddy was a distinguished police dog with the Palmer Police Department in Massachusetts serving for six years alongside handler Officer Sean Ford. Known for narcotics detection and locating missing persons, Buddy was a beloved community figure until his death on April 1, 2022. His legacy continues through Paws 4 Blue K-9, supporting officer-dog teams.

K9 Buddy from the Palmer Massachusetts Police Department joining the department in 2014

K9 Buddy from the Palmer Massachusetts Police Department at the Benefit for Buddy Fundraiser

FUNDRAISERS MAKING THE DIFFERENCE

Paws 4 Blue K-9 Fundraiser

Paws 4 Blue K-9 Fundraiser 2025

PAST EVENTS

It all started with local fundraisers that has evolved into a passion to help Police K9s across the country

Meet our Volunteers

Two women wearing sunglasses, smiling, standing under a canopy at an outdoor event, with various flags, including a Black Lives Matter flag with a dog's face and a police flag supporting K-9 units, hanging behind them.
Three women sitting outdoors at a table, smiling, with a covered area in the background. Two of the women are wearing black caps with white lettering, and all are wearing blue shirts.
A booth at an outdoor event with a table covered by a black and white K-9 UNIT banner featuring a police dog and an American flag. Two women stand behind the table, smiling, with other people and vehicles in the background. One man is making a hand sign and wearing a hat and sunglasses.
Two women smiling at an outdoor event, standing in front of a display of black T-shirts with police dog logos and prices. One woman wears a black T-shirt with a guitar graphic, the other a black shirt with police K9 unit logo.

PAWS 4 BLUE K-9

1ST ANNUAL FUNDRAISER 7/22/2023

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Paws 4 Blue K-9 2nd Annual Fundraiser

July 20, 2024

Paws 4 Blue K-9 fundraiser with handlers from across Hampden Country
A man dressed in a firefighter suit training a Belgian Malinois police dog in an outdoor event, with spectators and parked cars in the background.
Leicester police officer Matt Fenuccio with K9 Cooney feeding ice cream through a police vehicle window.
A police K9 handler with a black service bomb dog
Charlton Police K9 handler and K9 Milkshake
Sean ford serving dog ice cream sundaes at the Paws 4 Blue K9 fundraiser
Massachusetts Environmental Police
Charlton Police Department and K9 Milkshake
Leicester police officer Matt Fenuccio with K9 Cooney
K-9 police training demonstration with a German Shepherd biting a padded sleeve held by a man, while a police officer stands nearby with a leash and other spectators watch.
Two police officers, one male and one female, with tactical gear and body cameras, standing on a grassy field with a German Shepherd police dog. Several bystanders, including children and adults, are watching the scene.
Umass Police Department and K9 Parker
Police officers and onlookers at a park, with a police dog in action, during a demonstration or event.
Charlton Police Department and K9 Milkshake
Monson Police Department with handler Dave Rondeau and K9 Rex
Police officer with a German Shepherd during a public demonstration, with onlookers watching in the background.
Massachusetts Environmental Police
A police officer training a German Shepherd dog in a park with an audience watching.
Police officers and a K9 dog during a public demonstration outdoors, with onlookers watching.
Leicester police officer Matt Fenuccio with K9 Cooney
Sean Ford with a statue of his beloved K9 Buddy
Longmeadow Police Department with handler and K9 Reuban
Umass Police Department with handler and K9 Alec
Longmeadow Police Department with handler and K9 Reuban
Police officer training a German Shepherd police dog in an outdoor setting with onlookers in the background.
Umass Police Department with handler and K9 Parker
Close-up of a black Labrador Retriever with a serious expression, looking directly at the camera, outdoors, in black and white.
K9 demos at the Paws 4 Blue K9 Fundraiser
K9 demos at the Paws 4 Blue K9 Fundraiser
Umass Police Department K9 demos at the Paws 4 Blue K9 Fundraiser
K9 demos at the Paws 4 Blue K9 Fundraiser
K9 demos at the Paws 4 Blue K9 Fundraiser
K9 demos at the Paws 4 Blue K9 Fundraiser with the Charlton Police Department and K9 Milkshake
K9 demos at the Paws 4 Blue K9 Fundraiser
K9 demos at the Paws 4 Blue K9 Fundraiser with handlers from Springfield Police Department
Retired K9 Sampson from the Ware Police Department
Paw Partrol in Monson Police Department at the Paws 4 Blue K9 Fundraiser
K9 demos at the Paws 4 Blue K9 Fundraiser with Massachusetts Environmental Police
Staff at the Paws 4 Blue K9 Fundraiser
K9 demos at the Paws 4 Blue K9 Fundraiser
Four police officers and a man in casual clothing standing on a grassy field, with a row of parked cars behind them under a partly cloudy sky, and white dogs in the foreground.
K9 demos at the Paws 4 Blue K9 Fundraiser
K9 Buddy statue with his handler Sean Ford at the Paws 4 Blue K9 Fundraiser
The Paws 4 Blue K9 Fundraiser
K9 demos at the Paws 4 Blue K9 Fundraiser
K9 demos at the Paws 4 Blue K9 Fundraiser with Charlton Police Department and K9 Milkshake
K9 demos at the Paws 4 Blue K9 Fundraiser
K9 demos at the Paws 4 Blue K9 Fundraiser
K9 demos at the Paws 4 Blue K9 Fundraiser with the Springfield Police Department and handler Blair and K9 Flexx
K9 demos at the Paws 4 Blue K9 Fundraiser
K9 demos at the Paws 4 Blue K9 Fundraiser with K9 Parker
Handler Sean Ford receiving his statue of K9 Buddy at the Paws 4 Blue K9 Fundraiser
K9 Flexx from the Springfield Police Department at the Paws 4 Blue K9 Fundraiser
K9 Tonka with the Massachusetts Environmental Police at the Paws 4 Blue K9 Fundraiser
K9 demos at the Paws 4 Blue K9 Fundraiser
K9 Milkshake from the Charlton Police Department at the Paws 4 Blue K9 Fundraiser
People gathered at a booth under a tent at K9 demos at the Paws 4 Blue K9 Fundraiser
Flyer promoting the Paws 4 Blue K-9 2nd Annual Police K-9 Fundraiser and Craft Fair on Saturday, July 20, 2024, from 10 am to 4 pm at Westview Farms Creamery in Monson, Massachusetts. The flyer features images of police K-9 dogs and cartoon dog chara