Spike's Application

Introduction

Spike’s K9 Fund was founded in 2014, to provide active and retired working K9s the support, equipment, and post-retirement care they need and deserve.  

Spike’s K9 Fund was founded by James Hatch, a retired member of the Naval Special Warfare Development Group, and named after his first working K9 “Spike” who was killed in action in 2006. James was a K9 handler on multiple combat deployments.  He and his team regularly relied on the K9’s to preserve their lives. On the night James was wounded in 2009, a K9 named “Remco” saved his life while losing his own. Now James is committed to preserving K9 lives in the same, dedicated way that the K9’s preserved human lives. 

Our K9 Krijger Ballistic Vest Campaign equips working dogs with a protective vest, one that would have saved K9 Krijger's life on January 11, 2016. Now, every vest donated has his service number embroidered on the inside (K-148). K9 Krijger gave his all to keep us safe, without hesitation. It’s our job to ensure working dogs like yours, have the right tools to get the job done.

If you are interested in a vest for your K9, each vest is purchased from a company called K9 Storm. We consider them the best on the market, and they manufacture the same gear that our founder used while he was active in the military. So this is the brand we trust. Each vest is at least $3000 and they are custom-fit, lightweight, and guaranteed for life. The K9 Storm Vests are built to exceed Threat Level II standards, to stop a variety of handgun rounds and bladed weapon attacks, and prevent the dog from getting impaled by rebar or sharp objects. Each vest will include the Spec Ops Handle and at least one K9 Storm leash. You can find more information about K9 Storm's ballistic vests here. Each vest, whether it's the SAR vest or patrol swat vest will come with complete ballistic protection (this is a 2022 update).

 

Qualifications: 

To be considered for a vest, the applicant (and K9) must be an active and certified member of their Department.

K9 must be at least 18 months old (K9 Storm Requirement).

K9 must be at risk of being involved in a violent situation or being impaled to qualify for ballistic protection or used in rappelling/skydiving/lifting on and off structures. If K9 does not qualify, we recommend the tracking harness found in our K9 Piper Kit Campaign. 

A motto from our Founder's former career in the special operations community still holds true in the K9 community - "Train like you fight." Being ready for the worst-case scenario at a moment's notice is the only way to do business - when your business could mean life or death.

By signing below, I give my word that I will utilize this custom-fit vest in training and in every scenario where the K9 could be saved or protected by it (entire shift). If K9 is found working and unprotected, vest privileges will be revoked, and handler will be ineligible for future assistance provided by Spike's K9 Fund.

 

I also understand the value of each vest ($3k)and agree to take care of it to the best of my ability. I understand that the vest repairs will NOT be covered if my K9 chews or destroys it. I acknowledge that this vest is custom-fit to my K9 partner and will remain with my K9 for the remainder of his career (even if he/she is assigned to new handler). 

Due to an increase in the need for protective vests, we now require each applicant to establish a fundraiser through our online fundraising platform and share it with friends and family. This will help us spread the word and provide protection for your K9 and others alike. In addition, 10% of the cost of the item being requested must be raised through your online fundraising campaign, before we can place any vest orders.

You can do so by following this link and selecting "BECOME A FUNDRAISER." It is a simple process. Once it's created, you will have a custom link to fundraise for your K9.

*If more than one handler from a department is applying for a vest, one fundraiser can be created for the entire department.

Please provide a video explaining how this assistance will impact you and your K9 partner. The video should be filmed vertically and emailed directly to support@spikesk9fund.org. 

Last, once you receive your K9 Storm vest, we require two photos of your dog in its new vest. We share these with our donors who make our mission possible. It also helps with our fundraising efforts for the future.

As always, we are extremely grateful for any support in our mission. 🙏🏻

Incomplete applications will not be fulfilled.

For questions regarding the vest donation, contact support@spikesk9fund.org.

  

I hereby declare that the details furnished above are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief and I undertake to inform you of any changes therein, immediately.

I, hereby grant Spike's K9 Fund and its affiliated entities the non-exclusive right to use and publish photographs of me and/or my K9.