Philly Police K-9 dogs will rest easy in new donated beds

The bravest dogs in Philadelphia will be getting a more restful and supportive night’s sleep after one very appreciative local company donated new orthopedic beds to the police department’s K-9 unit.

“They have a different life than a normal dog,” said Eric Shannon, owner of Philly-based company Big Barker, which sells supportive beds for big dogs. The K-9 unit dogs are “out on patrol all day, they’re hunting down criminals, they’re searching for explosives, weapons, drugs, and spending their entire lives keeping our communities safe,” he said.

That’s why Shannon donated a new batch of supportive, orthopedic beds to the city’s four-legged police force.

Forty-two K-9s got the new beds, which retail for over $200 apiece.

These beds are specifically tailored for big dogs, which are more likely to develop joint problems ranging from canine arthritis todegenerative joint disease, or complications from earlier injuries, Shannon said. Orthopedic beds give dogs extra comfort over regular beds by conforming to their unique weight and the shape of their body.

“They really are heroes,” Shannon said during a news conference Tuesday to announce the gift. “They do so much for us in the community and they never ask for anything in return.”

Philly Police commissioner Richard Ross said he hoped the new beds would help the specially-trained canines stay healthy longer.

“They do work very hard each and every day,” Ross said. “They do a fantastic job.”