Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 25th August 2020
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

New charity launched to support police dogs in their retirement
Ambassador Finn was stabbed in the line of duty in 2016. This incident led to the establishment of Finn's Law.

Foundation offers financial help for dogs and owners

A new national charity has been established to support serving and retired police dogs, with hero police dog Finn, who also inspired Finn’s Law, being named as the charities’ official ambassador.

The Thin Blue Paw Foundation aims to provide assistance for dogs like Finn that have provided such a vital service. Currently police dogs receive no financial support and due to their working life, many are unable to receive pet insurance. As a result, the cost of their care and veterinary bills often falls to owners and ex-handlers.

One of the dogs that the charity will be providing support for is German shepherd Elsa, a retired Surrey police dog who was adopted in August 2019 by Steve Ellis and his wife. Less than a month later, a lump was discovered on Elsa’s mammary gland and she was taken to the local veterinary practice for treatment.

Though the lump was fortunately benign, and Elsa has fully recovered, the costs of all her treatment had to be paid by her adopted owners, with no financial or emotional support.

The Thin Blue Paw Foundation will be backing Mr and Mrs Ellis moving forward, so that they can enjoy their life with Elsa without worry around paying any future veterinary bills alone.

Mr Ellis said: “I’m so grateful that the Thin Blue Paw Foundation now exists, without a charity like this our retried police dogs wouldn’t have the support they so very much deserve. It’s thanks to the Thin Blue Paw Foundation that we can spend quality time with Elsa, knowing that if we need support, they will be able there to help us.”

Finn’s owner PC Dave Wardell said: “I’m extremely proud to have founded this charity with our board of trustees. As a serving police dog handler, I know first-hand the amazing work these incredible canines do on a daily basis, from finding suicidal people to catching armed robbers it’s only right that when they retire, they’re treated like the heroes that they are.”

Images (c) The Thin Blue Paw Foundation.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Submissions open for BSAVA Clinical Research Abstracts 2026

News Story 1
 The BSAVA has opened submissions for the BSAVA Clinical Research Abstracts 2026.

It is an opportunity for applicants to present new research on any veterinary subject, such as the preliminary results of a study, discussion of a new technique or a description of an interesting case.

They must be based on high-quality clinical research conducted in industry, practice or academia, and summarised in 250 words.

Applications are welcome from vets, vet nurses, practice managers, and students.

Submissions are open until 6 March 2026. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Survey seeks ruminant sector views on antimicrobial stewardship

A new survey is seeking views of people working in the UK ruminant sector on how to tackle the challenge of demonstrating responsible antibiotic stewardship.

Forming part of a wider, collaborative initiative, the results will help identify the types of data available so that challenges with data collection can be better understood and addressed.

Anyone working in the UK farming sector, including vets and farmers,is encouraged to complete the survey, which is available at app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk