“On behalf of Eureka Fire Rescue & EMS and the citizens we serve, I would like to thank Ben Roethlisberger for the grant award through the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation for our canine program. The funds will go a long way to help offset food and veterinary expenses. Our original canine EMBER passed last year after 10 years of service, which left RAMSY on her own. She contracted Lyme disease a few years back so we pay extra close attention to her medical needs. This season there is a new rookie on the team, ‘ASHES.’ She is in training and we have great hopes for her. The dogs’ primary jobs are fire prevention training, K-9 CPR and first aid training, along with functioning as therapy dogs and canine counselors. Of course they are a BIG hit with the children and definitively enhance station security. In the tradition of a true Pittsburgher, ASHES’ favorite thing is to play ball! Mr. Roethlisberger, thank you, not just for your dedication and performance on the field, but most importantly for you interest in outstanding support in the community.”— Richard J. Heuser, Eureka Fire Rescue EMS Chief of Operations.

Today, Ben announced the final grants of the 2017-18 season from the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation at The Giving Back Fund.

The Foundation will be distributing nine grants totaling $82,100 to police and fire departments in the Pittsburgh, PA area.

The K-9 departments receiving funding from Ben’s foundation this year include the Sharpsburg Borough Police Department, Beaver Township Police Department, Edinboro Borough Police Department, City of McKeesport Police Department, Lower Burrell Police Department, Eureka Fire Rescue EMS, Ohio Township Police Department, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and Hopewell Township Police Department. These departments will be utilizing their respective grants in a variety of canine-focused initiatives including the establishment of new K-9 units, replacement of retiring dogs, acquisition and updating of K-9 vehicles, purchasing of safety and training equipment, and training and certification of new and existing K-9s.

“We are thankful for and appreciative of the support from the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation as well as all of the other donors that have made bringing a K-9 to Sharpsburg possible. Patrolman Hussar took the lead early and showed tremendous initiative to bring […]

Please help Elena honor her father, Officer Eric Joering…

On February 10th, Officer Anthony Morelli and Officer Eric Joering were killed in the line of duty while investigating a 911 hang-up call in Westerville, Ohio. Officer Morelli leaves behind his wife Linda, son Chris, and daughter Beth. Officer Joering leaves behind his wife Jami, and three daughters Elena, Eva and Ella.

On February 20th, the Westerville City Council voted unanimously to officially retire Officer Joering’s K9 partner, Sam, and allow him to go home with the Joering family to help bring comfort to them after the loss of their father.

Eldest daughter Elena will now be his handler.

Elena wants to honor her father by collecting and wearing K9 shirts from police departments across the country!

Can you help us make this happen?

Elena wears an Adult Small.

The shirt from your department can be sent to:

Justin Alloway
Westerville Police Department
29 S State Street
Westerville, Ohio 43081

Storm Dog Tactical is collecting donations for K9 Sam (gift cards for the family to PetPeople and PetSmart would also be appreciated).

Donations for Sam can be sent to:

Storm Dog Tactical
Att: K9 Sam
P.O.Box 1046
Sunbury, OH 43074-1046


Proud to Back the Blue, and their families too!


*Thank you to Deborah Schierholt for bringing this to our attention!

To all the leading ladies in our lives, we want to send out our love and a HUGE Happy Valentine’s Day! We love you Mommy, Baylee, Grandma, Nana, Aunt Carlee, GG, and Grandma J. XOXO. — Ben, Benjamin & Bo Bo.

“We were blessed with a grant from the Foundation to purchase Jester. Jester and his handler have recently gone viral and I wanted your program to at least be aware of how your contribution was effecting our community and our department in a positive way. Thank you very much!” — Rob Ransweiler, Administrative Lieutenant, ITP/IA/PIO, El Cajon Police Department.

The story from NBC San Diego by Danielle Radin:

The K9 is making waves on Instagram with hundreds of thousands of followers

Meet Jester!

The K9 with the El Cajon Police Department who is going viral online.

The 4-year-old Belgian Malinois has been with officer Jordan Walker since 2015. Jester lives with officer Walker at his home and the two are inseparable.

Officer Walker noticed that Jester is a special dog who had qualities people might like, so he started an Instagram account for him.

The account now has nearly 120,000 followers!

Fans can see videos of Jester as well as pictures of him dressed up in adorable hats, from Krispy Kreme to reindeer antlers.

But don’t be fooled by his adorable charm, officers warn. Jester has been through the general Police Service Dog Academy as well as the Narcotics Academy, making him a fully trained crime-fighting machine.


You can watch a video of Jester from Joe Little at Channel 10 news in San Diego here.