MEET

RPD Drake

Breed of dogGerman Shepherd

Location of servitudeLeicestershire Police

Type of serviceGeneral Purpose

ConditionEar infections

Grant amount received£800

  • Retired police dog Drake
  • Retired police dog Drake having a nap

HOW WE HELPED RETIRED POLICE DOG DRAKE IN RETIREMENT

RPD Drake spent seven years working as a general purpose dog for Leicestershire Police before his retirement in 2020. Highlights of his career included featuring in the force’s charity calendar and even appearing on TV show, Traffic Cops.

Police researcher Laura Meller – who’d owned retired police dog Bomber until his death three years earlier – jumped at the chance to offer Drake a new home.

Drake’s handler, PC Dave Haines, had also handled Bomber before.

Laura said: “When Dave contacted me to ask if I could take Drake on it felt like it was meant to be! He was ready for a sofa to snooze on and I had a spare sofa for him after losing Bomber; it’s nice to think they’d both worked with the same handler before coming to me.

Retired police dog Drake at the beach
Retired police dog Drake having a nap

“Drake is a wonderful companion’ he’s the cuddliest dog and is thoroughly spoiled! I’m convinced he thinks he’s the size of a Jack Russell when he squishes next to me on the sofa.”

Drake retired with no health problems but Laura registered him with the Foundation.

Laura said: “I’ve always felt retired police dogs should have some sort of pension pot. So when the Thin Blue Paw Foundation was first established I thought it was amazing to have some support.”

We stepped in to help pay for multiple treatments when he suffered from severe ear infections, and Drake also receives free food through our partnership with Barking Heads.

“This help has taken a huge stress away from me, as a single-income household,” Laura added. “The food has been amazing as I’d never be able to afford such good quality food without this scheme.”

Retired police dog Drake

“Big vet bills can be daunting and it’s really nice to know that there’s support there should we need it. I’m so grateful to the Thin Blue Paw for their help.”

Laura, Drake’s owner

BENEFICIARIES OF OUR GRANTS

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