Causes: Arts & Culture, Arts Services, Humanities, Single Organization Support

Mission: The K9 Hero Portrait Project was created to provide our law enforcement and military handlers a commemorative portrait of their K9 partner while educating the public about the working dog’s service and career. This includes portraits for handlers who were unable to adopt their partners due to redeployment of either the soldier or the K9.Law Enforcement Officers rely on their K9 partner and create a special bond with them as they live and work together 24 hours a day. Military members leave their friends and families behind to protect our country. , These dogs become their new best friend, confidant, therapist and their child. The bond between a handler and these K9s is unlike any other I've seen or witnessed. For them, we create these portraits to immortalize their K9 partners.

Results: We have painted and presented over 70 24" x 24" K9 Hero Portraits to handlers and adoptive owners of the K9 Heroes. Not only does this affect the recipient, but when it's a law enforcement officer, it affects the ENTIRE DEPARTMENT. We've also presented to two other countries who requested our tribute paintings: The Royal Danish Air Force (Denmark), and RAID/GIGN via request by the Embassy of France.

Target demographics: K9 Handlers heal from the loss of their K9 partners by providing life-like, patriotic tribute paintings of their K9.

Programs: Positive psychological benefits/healing.