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 at the Amazon Wishlist, or donating to the Pup Relief Tour’s GoFundMe campaign linked below. For more information, email [email protected].
Background:
The Pup Relief Tour Africa 2025 is a humanitarian initiative focused on providing essential grooming services to dogs in underserved communities across Africa. It’s mission is to improve the well-being of dogs by providing grooming services.
85% of pet owners in rural African areas report lack of access to professional grooming services, which leads to an increase in skin diseases and infections in pets.
60% of dogs in underserved communities suffer from preventable health issues such as parasites, infections, and matted fur.
The initiative includes establishing two permanent grooming schools for long-term training and education of local groomers in Nigeria and Ghana.
The PRT Team will provide continuous education and certification for local groomers, ensuring sustainability in grooming practices. Students will have access to industry-leading tools, trainers and resources, including partnership with Paragon’s Groominar® Network.
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 groomers get started abroad!
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 Hero.
The Mission of Project K9 Hero:
Project K9 Hero is a non-profit organization with a noble mission: to provide a peaceful retirement and quality healthcare for retired military and working dogs. These incredible animals serve alongside our brave men and women in uniform, risking their lives to protect and defend our nation. They detect explosives, locate missing persons, and perform a variety of other life-saving tasks.
However, once these dogs retire, they often face a significant lack of support and funding for their medical care. Project K9 Hero steps in to bridge this gap. Their work ensures that these retired heroes can enjoy their well-deserved retirement years comfortably, receiving the medical care they need.
Why Project K9 Hero Needs Your Support:
Lifesaving Medical Care: Many retired military and working dogs suffer from health issues due to their time in service, including injuries, chronic pain, and other ailments. Project K9
Hero provides these heroes with access to the best veterinary care and covers the costs, ensuring they live a happy, healthy, and pain-free retirement.
Financial Assistance: Project K9 Hero assists retired dog handlers by providing financial aid to cover the medical expenses of their canine partners. This support is vital in easing the burden on the shoulders of those who have already sacrificed so much for our nation.
Public Awareness: Project K9 Hero plays a crucial role in raising awareness about the vital contributions of military and working dogs. By supporting their work, you’re helping shine a light on the often-underappreciated heroes who protect us every day.
How You Can Help on Giving Tuesday – And Any Day!:
On Giving Tuesday, you have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of these heroes. Here are a few ways you can support Project K9 Hero:
Donate: Consider making a generous donation to Project K9 Hero. Every dollar counts and will directly contribute to the well-being of retired military and working dogs.
Spread the Word: Share information about Project K9 Hero on your social media platforms and with your friends and family. Raising awareness can inspire others to contribute to this worthy cause.
Volunteer: If you have the time and skills to offer, consider volunteering with Project K9 Hero. Your time and expertise can make a meaningful impact.
Purchase Merchandise: Many non-profits, including Project K9 Hero, offer merchandise for sale, with proceeds going toward their cause. Consider buying a t-shirt, hat, or other items to support the organization.
This Giving Tuesday, let’s unite to support Project K9 Hero and ensure that our four-legged heroes receive the love, care, and support they deserve. These brave canines have selflessly served our nation, and now it’s our turn to give back. By donating to Project K9 Hero, you’re not just supporting a noble cause; you’re honoring the service and sacrifice of these incredible animals. Together, we can make a difference and ensure that every military and working dog enjoys a well-deserved retirement.
Paragon is proud to say that we stand behind and support the mission of Project K-9 Hero. So, mark your calendar for Giving Tuesday and consider giving to Project K9 Hero. Your support can help save and improve the lives of these unsung heroes. Join us in making a difference this Giving Tuesday, and let’s show our gratitude to the dogs who have faithfully served our nation. Learn more about the Project K9 Hero mission in this excerpt of their annual report.
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 receive the recognition and support they deserve.
Project K-9 Hero is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting retired police K-9s, military working dogs, and service dogs. These dogs have devoted their lives to serving and protecting us, and now it’s our turn to give back.
The Mission, Vision and Purpose
Project K-Hero was born out of a deep love and appreciation for dogs, and it all started with a simple idea – to show honor and support for our Police K-9 and Working Dogs in their retirement, giving them a life they deserve. Project K-9 Hero wants to provide them with the best quality of life by providing assistance with medical costs, rehabilitation, adoption, food and end-of-duty services.
Their mission is to protect those who protected our families, communities, and our America. Their vision is to ensure the best quality of life for our nation’s retired Military Working Dogs and Police K-9 Heroes by providing assistance with medical costs, food, rehabilitation, adoption, and end of duty services.
Project K-9 Hero has three main purposes:
To ensure each K-9 Hero is rewarded with health and the way of life that they deserve for their faithful and loyal service.
To educate the public on the costs and responsibilities of adopting a retired K-9 Hero.
To help cover or offset all medical, food, and end of duty costs for retired K-9 Heroes.
How can you help support Project K-9 Hero’s noble cause?
Supporting Project K-9 Hero is supporting those who have selflessly served us. Here are several ways you can make a difference:
Donate: Your financial contributions go a long way in helping these retired heroes. Every dollar helps provide medical care, basic needs, and more.
Sponsor a Dog: Consider sponsoring a specific retired working dog, providing ongoing support for their well-being.
Spread the Word: Share Project K-9 Hero’s mission and achievements on social media, with friends, and in your community. The more people who know about their work, the more support they can garner.
Volunteer: If you have the time and skills, consider volunteering for Project K-9 Hero. They often need assistance with events, fundraising, and education initiatives.
Purchase Merchandise: Many organizations offer Project K-9 Hero merchandise, and a portion of the proceeds goes to support their cause. Buying merchandise is a great way to show your support and raise awareness.
Project K-9 Hero is a vital organization that ensures our four-legged heroes receive the care and recognition they deserve. By supporting them, you’re not only showing your appreciation for these incredible dogs but also actively contributing to their well-being. Together, we can ensure that these heroes continue to live happy and comfortable lives after their noble service.
Get Involved with Project K9 Hero!
Whether you support the cause by purchasing merchandise, making a donation, or donating equipment an in-kind labor, we invite you to reach out to Project K9 Hero to support this initiative..
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!
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!
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 team will recap their global groomer training mission to Nigeria that Paragon sponsored. Hear all about what it’s like to train groomer’s abroad in an intense workshop, and bring your questions!
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 a social media sensation during the height of the pandemic when he spearheaded the non-profit Pup Relief Tour in 15 cities across the United States. The team groomed 1918 pups whose pet parents faced financial hardships and raised awareness of pup health and well-being through grooming.
Check out the video below:
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 a social media sensation during the height of the pandemic when he spearheaded the non-profit Pup Relief Tour in 15 cities across the United States. The team groomed 1918 pups whose pet parents faced financial hardships and raised awareness of pup health and well-being through grooming.
For the Nigeria venture, Taylor was joined by Pup Relief Tour Ambassadors, Labree Blaxon, Owner, Fluffy By Nature, (California), Latonya Smith, LC’s Detroit Salon, (Michigan) and Gianna Richardson, Gia Styles Grooming (Virginia). All have successful pet grooming businesses here in the U.S. and are primarily Black-owned.
Together, Paragon and The Pup Relief Tour are committed to raising awareness of the shortage of dog groomers and to help pet lovers discover the lucrative opportunity of a career in pet grooming.
DON’T MISS OUR UPCOMING FACEBOOK LIVE with the PRT Team Thurs. April 27, 7 p.m. EST. SET A REMINDER HERE.
