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POLICE DOG WELFARE
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF POLICE DOG HANDLERS
The National Association of Police Dog Handlers (NAPDH) was established by the Thin Blue Paw Foundation to support the work of police dog handlers and their canine partners across the United Kingdom.
National Association of Police Dog Handlers
The National Association of Police Dog Handlers (NAPDH) was established by the Thin Blue Paw Foundation to support the work of police dog handlers and their canine partners across the United Kingdom. Police dog handlers perform a highly valued role within policing, and the NAPDH provides a dedicated network to support them in the care and welfare of their police dogs, while also offering opportunities to enhance their professional development through training, peer support, and national collaboration.
Why Join the National Association of Police Dog Handlers (NAPDH)?
FREE MEMBERSHIP – Join at no cost! All tiers of membership are completely free, giving you full access to our network and resources.
QUARTERLY CPD SESSIONS – Stay at the forefront of police dog welfare and handler expertise. Full and Associate Members can take part in virtual sessions covering canine first aid, nutrition, training techniques, and insights from leading national and international experts, tailored to the unique needs of the role of a police dog handler. (Starting January 2026)
ANNUAL CONFERENCE – Connect, learn, and share with fellow handlers at our yearly conference. Explore a wide range of topics, including dog welfare, training, operational best practice, and professional development.
PEER SUPPORT AND NETWORKING – Access a national network of serving and retired handlers, trainers, and experts. Share experiences, seek advice, and learn from those who truly understand the role.
INFLUENCE AND VOICE – Join a community that champions the interests of police dog handlers and their dogs, helping to advance the standards of training, welfare, and care of police dogs nationally.
Join the National Association of Police Dog Handlers (NAPDH)
The National Association of Police Dog Handlers (NAPDH) offers three membership tiers: Full Membership, Associate Membership, and Honorary Membership, to support handlers and key roles involved in the care, welfare, and deployment of police dogs.
Full Membership
Full Membership of the National Association of Police Dog Handlers (NAPDH) is open to operational police dog handlers, including both warranted officers and police staff, of any rank from the 43 Home Office police forces, Police Scotland, the Police Service of Northern Ireland, British Transport Police, the Civil Nuclear Constabulary, the Ministry of Defence Police, or the Royal Air Force Police.
Associate Membership
Associate Membership of the National Association of Police Dog Handlers (NAPDH) is open to individuals who are not operational police dog handlers but play an active role in the management, care, and deployment of operational police dogs from the 43 Home Office police forces, Police Scotland, the Police Service of Northern Ireland, British Transport Police, the Civil Nuclear Constabulary, the Ministry of Defence Police, or the Royal Air Force Police.
These roles include, but are not limited to:
- Police Dog Unit Supervisors of any rank who have management responsibility for the dog unit on behalf of the Chief Constable.
- Police Dog Training Managers
- Police Dog Instructors
- Police Dog Kennel Managers
- Police Dog Kennel Assistants
Honorary Membership
Honorary Membership of the National Association of Police Dog Handlers (NAPDH) is open to individuals who are no longer operational police dog handlers but have previously served in the role, and who have retired from the police service or been redeployed to other areas of policing, remaining warranted officers or police staff from the 43 Home Office police forces, Police Scotland, the Police Service of Northern Ireland, British Transport Police, the Civil Nuclear Constabulary, the Ministry of Defence Police, or the Royal Air Force Police