A retired German shepherd named Jagger lies draped in a red-light therapy blanket at a New Port Richey wellness center, getting treatment for the arthritis he earned during years of explosives detection work with the Tampa Police Department. He isn't paying a dime. Neither is his owner.
Pasco's Retired K-9 Foundation picks up the tab. The nonprofit, founded in 2018 by Marine veteran Thomas DeLuca, provides full medical coverage for retired law enforcement K-9s across Pasco County and surrounding agencies. It currently covers 14 dogs that served the Pasco County Sheriff's Office, Tampa Police Department and the New Port Richey, Port Richey, Dade City and Zephyrhills police departments.
For residents in Land O' Lakes, Lutz and Odessa, that means the Pasco Sheriff's K-9s who patrolled their neighborhoods have a safety net when they retire.
DeLuca runs the operation with his wife and one volunteer, on top of a full-time job as a school guard at Sunray Elementary School in Holiday. He comes from a family of New York City firefighters, some of whom worked at Ground Zero after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
"We're relieved that we've never had to say no to anyone so far," DeLuca told the Tampa Bay Beacons in an Aug. 3 report.
That record rests on donations, discounted veterinary services from providers including Veterinary Emergency Group in Northdale, and the foundation's annual golf tournament. The first tournament raised $10,000. Last year's eighth brought in $32,000.
New treatments for old injuries
Retired police dogs commonly suffer severe arthritis, hip dysplasia and joint inflammation after years of high-impact work. DeLuca recently partnered with Cryo-Eeze, a veteran-owned wellness center in New Port Richey, and its nonprofit arm Cryoeeze22 to cover holistic therapies usually reserved for people. FOX 13 Tampa Bay first reported on the partnership July 13.
Jagger, nearly 12, is the center's only canine client. His handler and owner, retired Tampa Police Master Patrol Officer Bridget Coyman, said the results were dramatic. Jagger receives photobiomodulation through a whole-body red-light blanket and pulsed electromagnetic field therapy on his hips and spine. The chronic arthritis from his career had slowed him considerably, but Coyman told the Tampa Bay Beacons she has had to rein him in so he doesn't reinjure himself with his newfound energy. Both retired from the department in 2023.
Golf tournament set for Sept. 26
The foundation's ninth annual golf tournament is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 26, at Seven Springs Golf and Country Club, 3535 Trophy Blvd., New Port Richey. Registration is open at pck9golf.com.
DeLuca's longer-term goal is to expand with chapters in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties and eventually statewide. Other animal services nonprofits have already contacted him about launching chapters in their areas.
Upcoming
- Saturday, Sept. 26 — Retired K-9 Classic Golf Tournament, Seven Springs Golf and Country Club, New Port Richey. Details and registration: pck9golf.com
