MEET

RPD Elsa

Breed of dogGerman Shepherd

Location of servitudeSurrey Police

Type of serviceGeneral Purpose

ConditionArthritis

Grant amount received£5,200

Year of birth to year of death2011-2025

  • Retired police dog Elsa on a walk
  • Retired police dog Elsa at hydrotherapy

HOW WE HELPED RETIRED POLICE DOG ELSA IN RETIREMENT

RPD Elsa worked as a general purpose police dog with Surrey Police until her retirement in 2019. 

Fellow police officer, Steve Ellis, and his wife, Katie, adopted Elsa in August 2019 after she’d had two failed adoptions and they felt they could provide the stable, supportive home she needed.  

Just a month after adopting her, Elsa was rushed to the vets with a suspected mammary tumour. Fortunately the lump was benign but the operation cost more than £1,500, which they had to pay for using savings. They then registered her with our Foundation.

She also suffered from arthritis and we helped support her treatment such as physio and hydrotherapy.

Retired police dog Elsa exploring
Retired police dog Elsa at hydrotherapy

Steve said: “Hydrotherapy helped manage her pain and she was a happy dog despite a more relaxed pace of life with shorter walks and less playtime.”

Steve added: “I’m so grateful that the Thin Blue Paw Foundation exists. Without a charity like this our retired police dogs wouldn’t have the support they so very much deserve.”

Sadly, Elsa died in August 2025 – just two days before her 14th birthday – after falling ill suddenly with gastric torsion.

Retired police dog Elsa relaxes in the garden

IN MEMORY OF

RPD ELSA 2011-2025

“Elsa bought a smile to everyone who met her. We’re so grateful to the Thin Blue Paw for the years we had with her, thanks to their support. Elsa was truly one-of-a-kind and we feel honoured to have had the chance to adopt her.” – Steve and Katie

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