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Posted: 14th January 2026

Charity covers ex-police dog’s treatment costs
Hopi's owner's border collie and cat were also undergoing veterinary treatment.
Hopi’s police service meant her owners could not insure her.

A retired police dog has had her veterinary bills covered by a charity, after her service record prevented her owners from insuring her.

Twelve-year-old German shepherd Hopi, who lives with her former handler Helen, needed urgent veterinary care when a lesion was discovered on her leg.

However, Hopi’s police service record meant that her owner had been unable to insure her with pet insurance. Hopi worked as a general purpose dog for the Ministry of Defence Police from 2015 to 2022, when she retired to live with Helen.

She joined Helen’s other retired police dog, Rico, as well as border collie Jack and a pet cat. 

Rico has since passed away, however Helen had registered Hopi to The Thin Blue Paw Foundation for support in times of need.

Hopi’s medical bills came at a difficult time for Helen, who was already paying for medical treatment for Jack and the family cat. Without insurance for Hopi, her treatment put Helen under further pressure.

The Thin Blue Paw Foundation supports and rehabilitates serving and retired police dogs across the UK. Since many police dogs leave service with related injuries, the charity helps cover the cost of treatments, medications and therapies to improve their quality of life.

With Helen under pressure supporting multiple pets’ veterinary treatment, the charity covered over £700 of veterinary bills in the run up to Christmas.

The Foundation paid for Hopi’s diagnosis, as well as her pain relief and antibiotics. Helen sadly had to make the decision to have Jack euthanised, however the charity meant she was supported during challenging times.

She also receives free food through the charity’s partnership with Barking Heads.

Helen said: “Hopi was showing discomfort from a sore on the back of her elbow. 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.”

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 times of need, and we’re glad we’ve been able to relieve some of the pressure on her family, and also make a really difficult time for Helen a little easier.”

Image © The Thin Blue Paw Foundation



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