Paragon Cares is Team Paragon’s initiative focused on highlighting and supporting selected pet-related causes in our industry. Take a look below for more information and learn how you can get involved!
Project K9 Hero
Project K-9 Hero was created to honor the unwavering dedication of retired Police K-9s and Military Working Dogs by creating a global environment that celebrates their heroic service. This includes assistance with medical costs, prescription food, rehabilitation, rehoming, and end-of-duty services.
Their aim is to provide these remarkable companions with the dignified post-service life they rightfully deserve, advocating for a quality way of life in recognition of their selfless contributions. This is accomplished through educating the public, government agencies, and elected officials on the costs and responsibilities of owning a retired K-9 Hero.
Project K-9 Hero also provides a safe haven at their 177-acre Rehabilitation & Rehoming Facility for retired K-9 Heroes to live when they no longer have a home or an owner that can meet their specialized needs.
The Pup Relief Tour
Founded by Brian Taylor, celebrated as the “Dogfather of Harlem,” embarked on an inspiring mission with Pup Relief Tour INC: to bring accessible pet grooming services to underprivileged communities across America.
Today, The Pup Relief Tour is celebrating grooming over 1,800 pets, absolutely free of charge, thanks to their network of over 100 dedicated volunteer groomers. Their workshops have educated countless pet owners in 16 states, sowing seeds of knowledge and empowerment. Their reach even expanded internationally, with successful training sessions in Lagos, Nigeria.
This journey has been about more than grooming — it’s about nurturing connections, spreading joy, and creating a world where every pet is loved and cared for.
“We started Paragon Cares to shine a spotlight on pet and grooming-related causes that we feel make a tangible, positive impact in this industry. It’s our hope to give these organizations the recognition they deserve, so they can grow and thrive – helping more and more people and pets along the way. We hope you find their missions as inspiring as we do and maybe become an advocate for them yourself!”
-Joe Zuccarello, President of Paragon
Join Guest:
Jason Johnson
Podcast
Introducing Project K9 Hero with Jason Johnson
Join Guest:
Brian Taylor, The Dogfather of Harlem
Podcast
Helping Others Find a Successful Career Path - How We Can Introduce the Profession of Dog Grooming
Latest ParagonCares News & Articles
Paragon Cares
Help Pup Relief Tour International Give the Gift of Grooming Tools
Join the ParagonCares team in helping the Pup Relief Tour advocate for animal welfare and develop the grooming profession in its Africa 2025 Mission! The quest is to outfit 50 grooming students at two developing grooming schools with a complete toolkit to launch their careers. You can participate by either supplying tools directly, by purchasing...Read More
Paragon Cares
Help the Pup Relief Tour International 2025 Campaign
Paragon is proud to support the Pup Relief Tour's International grooming initiatives! Here's a quick peek of what the team is up to in 2025 - scroll through the instagram slides to see ways to support the initiative. Check back soon for details on our tool drive and how your old equipment can help new...Read More
Paragon Cares
Project K9 Hero: A Lifesaving Mission Worth Supporting on Giving Tuesday
As Giving Tuesday approaches, it's time to turn our attention to the brave heroes who tirelessly serve and protect our communities—military and working dogs. These loyal canines often go unnoticed but play a crucial role in protecting our lives. One organization that's making an impact in the lives of retired service dogs is Project K9...Read More
Paragon Cares
Paragon School of Pet Grooming Proudly supports Project K-9 Hero!
"Protecting Those Who Protected Us." Dogs have long been our loyal companions, but for some, they are much more than that. They are service dogs, therapy dogs, and first responders, making a difference in the lives of countless individuals. Project K-9 Hero is here to shine a light on these remarkable canines and ensure they...Read More
Paragon Cares
ICYMI: Pup Relief Tour Team Shares Nigeria Dog Groomer Training Story
Paragon president Joe Zuccarello and VP Lorri Keller were joined by the Pup Relief Tour Team in our last Facebook Live. If you missed it, here's a replay! Special thanks to the PRT Team for elevating the profession of grooming! "DogFather of Harlem" ⭐️ Brian Taylor from Harlem Doggie Day Spa HDDS, and the PRT...Read More
Paragon Cares
Check Out This Gallery of the Pup Relief Team in Nigeria
If you were able to join our Facebook Live with the Pup Relief Tour Team, thank you! Here are a few images of their tour-de-grooming-force! Stay tuned for an update on more ways to help this global groomer initiative! Special thanks to the PRT Team for elevating the profession of grooming! "DogFather of Harlem" ⭐️...Read More
Paragon Cares
Join Us for a FBLive with Pup Relief Tour on Global Dog Groomer Training
Join Paragon president Joe Zuccarello & VP Lorri Keller June 1st, 7 p.m. EST for a great Facebook Live featuring special guests Brian Taylor, the "Dogfather of Harlem," and his team of Pup Relief Tour Ambassador/Trainers, Gianna Richardson from Gia Styles Grooming; LaTonya Smith from LC's Detroit Salon, and LaBree Braxton from Fluffy By Nature. The...Read More
Paragon Cares
Sneak Peek of The Pup Relief Tour's Nigeria Outreach
The Pup Relief Tour in partnership with Paragon is fresh off its mission is to elevate the grooming profession around the world, through excellence in skill development. PRT mastermind, Brian Taylor aka "The Dogfather of Harlem" is passionate about opening avenues to the grooming profession at home and abroad. The banker-turned-successful grooming business owner became...Read More