A national charity has stepped in to support a Scottish family faced with mounting veterinary bills for their retired police dog – just as they were coming to terms with the loss of another much-loved pet.
The Thin Blue Paw Foundation provided vital help to Helen* and her 12-year-old German Shepherd, Hopi (pictured above), after the former service dog developed a lesion on her leg that required urgent treatment.
Hopi served as a general-purpose dog with the Ministry of Defence Police from 2015 until her retirement in 2022, working alongside Helen, who then adopted her into the family home in Renfrewshire. She now lives there with Helen, Helen’s current working dog PD Huxley, and until recently, their family pets: a border collie named Jack and a cat.
Understanding the challenges that often come with caring for retired service animals, Helen registered Hopi with the Thin Blue Paw Foundation – a UK charity that supports retired police dogs with essential veterinary care.
“Unfortunately we weren’t able to insure Hopi when she retired, which is often the case for retired police dogs,” Helen explained.
“With my other retired police dog, Rico, at home too, I was concerned about how I’d cover their costs as well as the costs of our pet cat and pet dog, border collie Jack.
“The Foundation gave me peace of mind that, should we face a large unexpected vet bill, we’d have someone to turn to for help.”
Although Rico has since passed away, Helen has received support from the Foundation on several occasions for Hopi’s ongoing care. Most recently, the charity stepped in to cover more than £700 in veterinary bills just before Christmas.
Kieran Stanbridge, Chairman of the Thin Blue Paw Foundation, said:
“Hopi dedicated seven years to working hard for Helen and the Ministry of Defence Police. Now, we’re privileged to be there for her in her time of need, and we’re glad we’ve been able to relieve some of the pressure on her family, and make a really difficult time for Helen a little easier.
“While Hopi and Jack weren’t always the best of friends, I’m sure she’ll miss having him by her side on dog walks.”
Helen added:
“I want to express my sincere and utmost thanks to the Thin Blue Paw Foundation for assisting with Hopi’s recent vet bills. I am so grateful for the support at a time when we had massive vet bills for our family cat and my pet dog Jack.
“Unfortunately I had to make the decision to have Jack put to sleep. I’m gutted to lose him, but the charity really helped during such a difficult time.”
Thanks to timely intervention and treatment, Hopi is now recovering well.
“Hopi was showing discomfort from a sore on the back of her elbow,” Helen said.
“She had pain relief and antibiotics, and they also tested it to see what had caused it. For now, she’s doing well and it’s healing nicely. I hate to ask for help, but we’d been having a torrid time with vet bills following multiple visits for Hopi, Jack and our cat.”
Hopi also receives free food through the Foundation’s partnership with Barking Heads, something Helen says has been “really helpful” in easing day-to-day costs.
“Hopi was a tenacious worker,” Helen said. “She has her challenges, but she’s done me proud and has adapted well to all of life’s changes.”
You can help the Thin Blue Paw Foundation support more dogs like RPD Hopi by donating online: https://donate.thinbluepaw.org.uk
The charity is also campaigning for Government-funded pensions for police dogs. Learn more at: www.thinbluepaw.org.uk/pensions-for-police-dogs
*Name changed at the individual’s request.