Hidden Gems: Meet Jason Johnson of Project K-9 Hero

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jason Johnson.

Hi Jason, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I am 1993 graduate of Lapeer West High School, who wanted to be a solider my entire life growing up in the small town of Hadley, Michigan. My grandfathers both served, one in the USMC during the Korean War, and the other in the Navy during WWII. As soon as finished High School, I set off for the Army to be a Military Police Officer for five years. After my service, I joined the Police Department for 10 years, where I ultimately specialized in K-9 and SWAT. Once I accomplished everything I wanted to in civilian law enforcement, I went to Iraq and Afghanistan to protect the United States Ambassador, as one of the lead Explosive Detection K-9 Handlers and Personal Security Detail Specialists. From there, I transitioned to federal service where I was a K-9 Instructor and Subject Matter Expert for Special Agents, Police, and Military in dozens of government agencies worldwide. In 2016, and after training over 2000 Police and Military K-9 Teams, I took $500 out of my own pocket to start my own nonprofit called Project K-9 Hero. To date, we have now raised over 25 million dollars since then and are the largest organization in the world that assists retired Police K-9s and Military Working Dogs in retirement with medical care, rehabilitation, rehoming, prescription food, and end of duty services.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It is my life’s passion, but it takes almost 24/7 laser focus to achieve this level of success. While it hasn’t been easy, it certainly has been rewarding. As the CEO, I face let downs and disappointments not on a daily basis, but rather an hourly basis. However, with that comes pieces of good news throughout the day as well. The key is to not let the struggles rattle your plan in anyway at all. Just regroup, devise a new strategy, and execute it.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Project K-9 Hero?
Project K-9 Hero is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring the best quality of life for retired Police K-9s and Military Working Dogs by providing medical care, prescription food, and death benefit assistance, as well as rehabilitation and rehoming services, to those who need them. Our vision is to honor their unwavering dedication by creating a global environment that celebrates their heroic service. We strive to reshape perceptions, ensuring these valiant animals are revered and respected for their loyalty. Through our efforts, we aim to provide these remarkable companions with the dignified post-service life they rightfully deserve, offering access to comprehensive healthcare and advocating for a quality way of life in recognition of their selfless contributions.

Learn more about us at: WWW.PROJECTK9HERO.ORG

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X @ProjectK9Hero

What sets us apart from others is our 100% Charity Navigator rating that only 1/10 of 1% of organizations in the world achieve. You may learn more about that at: https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/811770909

I am most proud that we are a trusted resource for the U.S. Military, Government, and Police Agencies globally to assist in taking care of working dogs after their faithful service to our communities and country!

We Protect Those Who Protected Us!

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success to me is waking up every morning of the year, and having the ability to do whatever you want to do, with no one in the world having the ability to tell you otherwise.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://projectk9hero.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/projectk9hero/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/projectk9hero
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/projectk9hero?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ProjectK9Hero
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ProjectK9Hero