ANSWERING THE CALL

K-9 APOLLO AND OFFICER HALLIE HUMISTON

The Space Coast Police K-9 Foundation presented a $10,000 check to the Palm Bay Police Department K-9 Unit Friday morning. The donation is for the purchase of a new patrol K-9 that will be added to the department in the coming weeks. Palm Bay Police graciously accepted the donation stating it will provide an important public safety resource for the city. “We are grateful to the K9 Foundation for this donation allowing us continue to have a robust K9 presence in the community,” said Palm Bay Police Chief Mario Augello. “These K9’s provide a vital resource for public safety and we are looking forward seeing the great things they will do.”

Palm Bay currently has 4 patrol K-9s and one therapy K-9. The donation will replace a retiring K9. Each year the K-9 teams provide for officer protection, building searches, drug seizures, recovery of firearms and finding missing endangered persons. In 2023, Palm Bay patrol dogs were deployed 287 times recovering more than 500 grams of illegal drugs, apprehending 30 fleeing felons, and recovering 4 firearms from criminals.

It is proven time and again that having trained police K-9s makes communities safer. The presence of a police K-9 typically results in a peaceful suspect surrender. Their keen abilities to sense threats, track and find suspects, missing persons, find illegal drugs, and recover dangerous weapons adds to the overall safety and wellbeing of police agencies and the communities they serve. “We are thrilled to be able to make this donation to support the city of Palm Bay,” said Dan Rhoades, President of the Space Coast Police K-9 Foundation. “This is the at the heart of what we do. We are grateful to our supporters for their donations that have made this possible”

The Space Coast Police K-9 Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non profit dedicated to supporting police K-9 programs in law enforcement agencies around Brevard County. The Foundation has provided important equipment and training to police K-9 officers since 2021, including bite suits, vests, tracking schools, and now funding the purchase of a police K-9. 

K9 FOUNDATION DONATES FUNDS FOR NEW PATROL DOG

JUNE 6, 2025-ROCKLEDGE, FL—The K-9 Foundation presented a $10,500 check to the Rockledge Police Department on Thursday. It is donated for the purchase of a new patrol dog that will be acquired in July from High Drive K-9 in South Carolina. “We wholeheartedly recognize the critical role trained police K-9s play in public safety,” said Dan Rhoades, president of the Space Coast Police K-9 Foundation. “It is our absolute honor to make this contribution to the City of Rockledge and its police department. We are excited to see great things from RPD’s growing K-9 program!”

The Rockledge Police Department currently has three working canines, including one patrol dog, one tracking patrol dog and one therapy dog. The donation will allow for a second patrol dog.

The Space Coast Police K-9 Foundation was established in 2021 with a deep commitment to supporting police K-9 programs across Brevard County. The board of directors includes dedicated law enforcement and military K-9 professionals, and passionate community supporters who believe in the power of these exceptional working dogs. Since its inception, the nonprofit charity has donated thousands of dollars to local law enforcement agencies for important training, resources, and equipment, including new patrol dogs. The Foundation also hosts the annual Space Coast Police K-9 Competition, now in its 7th year. The event showcases the incredible skills of police K-9 teams and raises awareness about the important role they play in public safety.

A canine has the ability to smell 100,000 times + stronger than a human. A properly trained police dog saves 600 to 1000 man-hours every year. K-9 officers reduce the risk to human officers by alerting to danger long before a human can detect it.

—Support for Police K-9 Programs

The Space Coast Police K-9 Foundation is committed to strengthening police K-9 programs across the Space Coast and east Central Florida by providing critical support where it’s needed most. We help reduce the financial burden of essential and advanced, high-level training, state-of-the-art tactical and protective equipment, K-9 care and handling resources, specialized materials, and K-9-centered public safety community outreach. Our mission is to ensure every K-9 team is fully equipped, highly trained, and fully supported so they can protect and serve their communities safely and effectively.