About
United to protect & serve the K9s who protect and serve us.
Our Mission
K9s United is committed to supporting and honoring law enforcement K9s who protect and serve our communities by providing them the most advanced equipment and training, and memorializing those who make the ultimate sacrifice.
Our Story
Inspired by K9 Baron’s Sacrifice
K9s United’s President and Founder Debbie Johnson, a civilian from Jacksonville, Florida, never thought helping K9s would be her calling. But after learning about the tragic murder of K9 Baron from the St. Johns County Sheriff’s office in her hometown, she was inspired to become an advocate for these brave canine crimefighters.
MEET OUR TEAM
K9s United is a 100% volunteer, 501(c)(3) organization composed of civilians, current and former law enforcement members, and the K9 training community – all passionate dog lovers who are dedicated to bringing awareness of the positive impact K9 units make in the communities they serve.
K9s United Founder
Debbie Johnson
Financial Strategist
K9s United Founder
Board of Directors
Jay Nix & K9 Drago
K9 Sgt, Marion County Sheriff’s Office (Ret)
K9s United President
Paul Bertozzi
President & CEO of Live Oak Contracting
K9s United Vice President
Brad Williams
President OF Safariland
K9s United Board Member
Dan St. John
Chairman & CEO, St. John; Chairman & CEO, Nectar Studios
K9s United Board Member
Sheila Brown
CPA
K9s United Board Member; Treasurer
Robert Ramos
K9 Handler, Orange County Sheriff’s Office (Ret)
K9s United Board Member
Jason Bailey
Lt, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office
K9s United Board Member
Michael Goosby
K9 Sgt, Los Angeles Police Department (Ret)
K9s United Board Member
ESTHER BYRD
member, florida board of education
K9s United Board Member
Erica Hay
Esq., Owner/Managing Attorney Spartan Law of Florida, PLLC
K9s United Board Member
Deb RaDcliff
Chief Marketing Officer, 5.11 Inc. (Ret)
K9s United Board Member
ADVISORY BOARD
Emma Johnson
Daughter of Founder Debbie Johnson
K9s United Legacy Ambassador
Robert A. Hardwick
Sheriff, St Johns County Sheriff’s Office
K9s United Advisory Board Member
Matt Herrera
K9 Sgt, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office
K9s United Advisory Board Member
Charles Owens
K9 Sgt, Gainesville Police Department (Ret)
K9s United Advisory Board Member
Cheth Plaugher & K9 Huk
Sgt, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office
K9s United Advisory Board Member
Kale Davis
K9 Handler, Florida Highway Patrol
K9s United Advisory Board Member
Gary Hicks
LE K9 Handler (Ret) – Owner, Worthless Handler
K9s United Advisory Board Member
Herb Bennett
Lt, Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office
K9s United Advisory Board Member
Brandon Surratt
K9 Handler, Greenville County Sheriff’s Office (Ret)
K9s United Advisory Board Member
Casey Walsh
K9 Handler, Gainesville Police Department
K9s United Advisory Board Member
Nhut Huynh
K9 Handler, Los Angeles Police Department
K9s United Advisory Board Member
Larry McArdle
K9 Handler, New York City Department of Corrections (Ret)
K9s United Advisory Board Member
K9 Huk
K9s United Ambassador
K9 Drago
K9s United Ambassador
Training Team
Michael Nezbeth
Owner, Grassroots K9
K9s United Director of Training
Jay Nix
LE K9 Sgt/Handler (Ret) – Owner, Ridgeside K9 Central FL
K9s United Training Team Instructor
Mike Lilley
LE K9 Sgt/Handler (Ret) – Owner, Ridgeside K9 Knoxville & MLK9
K9s United Training Team Instructor
Michael Goosby
LE K9 Sgt/Handler (Ret)
K9s United Training Team Instructor
Brady Smith
Sgt First Class / K9 Handler, U.S. Army Special Forces – Owner, Dustoff K9 & Ridgeside K9 Colorado Springs
K9s United Training Team Instructor
Rich Hartman
LE K9 Handler (Ret) – Owner, Ridgeside K9 NorCal
K9s United Training Team Instructor
Athena Haus
Firefighter/Medic (Ret)
K9s United Training Team Instructor
Gary Hicks
LE K9 Handler (Ret) – Owner, Worthless Handler
K9s United Training Team Instructor
Liam MacLeod
Trainer, Grassroots K9
K9s United Training Team Instructor
Some of Our Current K9 Partners
