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K-9 Friends

Friends of Douglas County K-9

For nearly 30 years, Franktown Animal Clinic has had the honor of caring for the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit’s remarkable dogs. K-9 Friends is a 100% volunteer-run organization, ensuring every dollar donated goes directly to supporting the K-9 Unit.

Visit K9Friends.orginfo@k9friends.org
K-9 Dug and handler Stiltner, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office
Our story

How K-9 Friends began

Formally established in 2011, Friends of Douglas County K-9 (K-9 Friends) is the only non-profit organization solely committed to the financial support of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit. With the exception of deputy salaries and vehicles, the K-9 Unit is funded almost entirely by donations.

When, in 2011, two K-9 partners were set to retire and resources were not available to replace them, we knew we had to do more. Friends of Douglas County K-9, proudly known as K-9 Friends, was born.

As we celebrate our 15th year, our mission remains steadfast: to ensure the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit has the dogs, training, equipment, and ongoing care needed to keep our community safe.

Franktown Animal Clinic has cared for the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit since 1997, and we are a proud Founding & Titanium Sponsor.

“As the Sheriff, I am committed to ensuring the safety and security of our community. As a former K-9 Handler, I know firsthand how critical our K-9 Unit is to the mission of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. Our K-9 Unit serves as a powerful deterrent against criminal activities. I can tell you we also would not have the K-9 Unit that we have today without your generous support of Friends of Douglas County K-9.”

Sheriff Darren Weekly
Our impact

What 15 years of support has made possible

14

New K-9 officers

K-9 Friends has helped the DCSO K-9 Unit purchase 14 new K-9 officers.

World-class training

K-9 Friends funds world-class training for the Unit.

Training Facility

K-9 Friends helped build a state-of-the-art K-9 Training Facility.

Specialized equipment

K-9 Friends provides critical specialized equipment.

Care for life

Retired K-9s receive top-notch care for life, without financial burden to their handlers.

7

Deputy/K-9 teams

Thanks to donors and sponsors, the Unit is recognized as one of the finest in the nation.

Results the K-9 Unit has achieved with your support

23,155deployments
3,058arrests across surrounding counties
1,010assists
1,722+ lbsof narcotics confiscated
$2.1M+in cash seized
The team

Meet the K-9 team

Check out the amazing individuals and dogs on their team!

K-9 Nyx and handler Austin, Douglas County Sheriff’s OfficeK-9 Dug and handler Stiltner, Douglas County Sheriff’s OfficeK-9 Olive and handler Zepeski, Douglas County Sheriff’s OfficeK-9 Rudy and handler Nilemo, Douglas County Sheriff’s OfficeK-9 Guster, Douglas County Sheriff’s OfficeK-9 Rone, Douglas County Sheriff’s OfficeK-9 Fergus and handler Brite, Douglas County Sheriff’s OfficeK-9 Leo and handler Falkner, Douglas County Sheriff’s OfficeK-9 Onyx and handler Kelly, Douglas County Sheriff’s OfficeK-9 Grogu and handler Walpole, Douglas County Sheriff’s OfficeK-9 Buster, Douglas County Sheriff’s OfficeK-9 Rone and handler Simmons, Douglas County Sheriff’s OfficeK-9 Leo and K-9 Guster with their handlersK-9 Olive and handler Zepeski, Douglas County Sheriff’s OfficeK-9 Dug and handler Stiltner, Douglas County Sheriff’s OfficeK-9 Rudy and handler Nilemo, Douglas County Sheriff’s OfficeK-9 Nyx and handler Austin, Douglas County Sheriff’s OfficeK-9 Fergus and handler Brite, Douglas County Sheriff’s OfficeK-9 Mako and handler Van Noordt, Douglas County Sheriff’s OfficeK-9 Onyx and handler Kelly, Douglas County Sheriff’s OfficeK-9 Leo and handler Falkner, Douglas County Sheriff’s OfficeK-9 Grogu and handler Walpole, Douglas County Sheriff’s OfficeK-9 Buster, Douglas County Sheriff’s OfficeK-9 Guster and handler Corbin, Douglas County Sheriff’s OfficeK-9 Onyx and handler Kelly, Douglas County Sheriff’s OfficeK-9 Olive and handler Zepeski, Douglas County Sheriff’s OfficeK-9 Dug and handler Stiltner, Douglas County Sheriff’s OfficeK-9 Mako in sunglasses with his ball, Douglas County Sheriff’s OfficeK-9 Leo and K-9 Guster with their handlersK-9 Nyx and handler Austin, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office
Get involved

Ways to support the K-9 Unit

There are many meaningful ways to support our mission. Your sponsorship or donation directly impacts the safety of our deputies, the well-being of our K-9s, and the security of our community.

Visit K9Friends.orgContact K-9 Friends

Friends of Douglas County K-9

Physical: 7658 Burning Tree Dr, Franktown, CO 80116
Mailing: PO Box 832, Franktown, CO 80116

Phone: 303-688-4690
Fax: 303-688-1362

Email: info@k9friends.org
Web: K9Friends.org

Friends of Douglas County K-9 is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) public charity. Tax ID 45-2699561.
Howling Good Time Gala

A night for the K-9 Unit

Every September, K-9 Friends hosts the Howling Good Time Gala: an evening of K-9 demonstrations, a live auction and plenty of tail wags, all in support of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit. Here are a few of our favorite moments from 2026.

The Franktown Animal Clinic team at the 2026 Howling Good Time Gala with two Douglas County Sheriff’s Office K-9s
Franktown Animal Clinic team members celebrating at the galaFranktown Animal Clinic team members by the waterfall at the galaK-9 handler and his dog with rodeo royalty at the galaFranktown Animal Clinic team with two K-9s at the galaThe Franktown Animal Clinic table at the galaFranktown Animal Clinic team members at the galaFranktown Animal Clinic team members at dinnerK-9 Friends supporters with a K-9 handler and his dog at the galaGala guests by the waterfallK-9 demonstration with a deputy in a bite suitK-9 with its reward ball at the galaK-9 on leash during the gala demonstrationGala guests smiling at their tableK-9 enjoying a cake on stageK-9 digging into a celebration cakeThe auctioneer having fun during the live auctionGuests raising bid paddles in the live auctionGala guests and K-9 teams group photoK-9 leaping during the bite-suit demonstrationGuests watching the outdoor K-9 demonstrationK-9 running past gala guestsK-9 portrait by the waterfall at the galaK-9 greeting a guest at the galaK-9 Leo at the galaK-9 jumping up to greet its handlerK-9 handlers and their dogs with rodeo royaltyThe ballroom under the K-9 Friends logoBid paddles raised under the K-9 Friends logoGuests playing a game during the galaGuests on stage playing a game during the galaK-9 sprinting across the lawn during the demonstrationK-9 resting on stage at the galaGuest cheering during the live auction