The People. The Dogs. One Mission.
About Bishop's Mission
Bishop's Mission was founded on a simple belief:
Supporting the dog is part of supporting the person.
First responders, veterans, and their service and department support dogs face unique physical and emotional demands. Yet while tremendous attention is given to responder wellness, the long-term wellness of the dogs who stand beside them is often overlooked.
That is why Bishop's Mission exists.
We are building a trusted K9 wellness and resilience resource that helps protect the health, longevity, and readiness of the dogs who serve—while supporting the people who depend on them.
“After spending a career serving people in crisis and years working to improve the lives of animals, I realized that no one was bringing those two worlds together. Bishop's Mission was created to fill that gap.”
The Hearts Behind the Mission
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FounderKate Klasen founded Bishop's Mission after recognizing a critical gap in the wellness resources available for the dogs who support first responders and veterans.
Having served as a police officer, 9-1-1 dispatcher, Emergency Medical Technician, and law enforcement instructor, Kate experienced firsthand the physical and emotional demands placed on those who serve. After transitioning from public safety into the pet industry, she discovered a second gap—the lack of coordinated wellness resources dedicated to the dogs who stand beside them.
That realization became the foundation of Bishop's Mission.
Today, Kate combines decades of experience in emergency services, animal care, canine wellness, education, and crisis intervention to build a trusted K9 wellness and resilience resource supporting first responders, veterans, service dog teams, and department wellness dogs.
Her professional experience spans law enforcement, emergency medicine, canine first aid, emergency preparedness, peer support, crisis intervention, canine nutrition, grooming, and K9 wellness. She continues to pursue advanced education through nationally recognized organizations to ensure Bishop's Mission remains grounded in current best practices.
Kate is also the founder of H.E.L.P. (Human & Animal Emergency Lifeline Preparedness), where she educates individuals, pet professionals, and organizations in emergency preparedness, animal CPR, and first aid.
Through Bishop's Mission, Kate is committed to strengthening both ends of the leash by advancing education, preparedness, wellness resources, professional partnerships, and long-term support for the dogs who protect and support those who serve.
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Anjie Coates brings a unique blend of experience in public service, education, and animal care to the Bishop’s Mission board. A former law enforcement officer and current Chief Master Instructor with H.E.L.P., Anjie specializes in Pet First Aid & CPR—skills she has used firsthand to save lives. Her passion for preparedness and prevention has made her a trusted voice in emergency training for pet professionals and owners alike.
With over 36 years in the grooming industry, Anjie has built a career centered around excellence, mentorship, and ongoing education. She holds multiple advanced certifications, including CMRG, ICMCG, CCE, PGC, and PGCE, and is known for her deep expertise in grooming, business development, and pet safety.
Anjie is also the owner of PawsitiveEd.com, an educational platform offering courses and resources for grooming professionals, pet parents, and industry leaders. In 2023, her book The Quintessential Rabbit Book earned the prestigious Barkleigh Honors Award for Book of the Year.
Her lifelong dedication to animals, public service, and professional development makes her a powerful advocate for Bishop’s Mission’s work supporting first responders and their K9 partners. Anjie’s leadership and expertise help further our mission of providing connection, care, and community to those who serve.
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Lynn Heitz
Records Supervisor | Peer Support AdvocateLynn Heitz began her unexpected but rewarding career in law enforcement in 1989 at a department in the western suburbs of Chicago. What was supposed to be a one-year position as a Records Clerk turned into a dedicated 35+ year journey. Today, she serves as the department’s Records Supervisor, bringing decades of experience and institutional knowledge to her team.
Over the years, Lynn has worn many hats—handling everything from payroll and statistical reporting to FOIA requests, accident reporting, and the implementation of new report writing systems. She has served as a trainer, answered non-emergency calls, and contributed to both IUCR and NIBRS reporting.
As the longest-serving member of her department, Lynn has witnessed firsthand the lasting impact of traumatic incidents—not only on sworn officers but on civilian staff as well. She understands how deeply these events can affect those behind the scenes, often overlooked in the broader scope of public safety.
Lynn is passionate about the mission of Bishop’s Mission and the essential support it provides. She strongly believes that peer support and critical incident debriefings should be available to everyone involved in emergency services, including the civilian professionals who serve on the front lines in a different, but equally vital, way.
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Anthony A. Polse is a distinguished attorney and former police officer. Mr. Polse provides expert instruction to law enforcement professionals on constitutional matters, particularly those related to search and seizure. He previously served as a prosecutor with the Lake County State's Attorney's Office in Illinois, gaining extensive trial experience across multiple divisions. Mr. Polse is licensed to practice law in federal courts in both Illinois and Arizona. His prior legal practice specialized in labor and employment matters for law enforcement agencies, as well as Fourth Amendment training and compliance reviews tailored to the needs of law enforcement personnel. Mr. Polse possesses in-depth expertise in Arizona and Illinois legal frameworks, with a focus on CourtSmart publications with Mr. Dale Anderson and editing the Illinois and Arizona Legal Source books. He has also served as the police legal advisor for the Mesa Police Department in Arizona, a Deputy County Attorney, where he served as a law enforcement liaison for the Maricopa County Attorney's Office and currently, is the public safety legal advisor for the City of Goodyear, Arizona.
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Aaron Davis brings nearly two decades of law enforcement experience to Bishop’s Mission. He began his career as a Corrections Officer with the DuPage County Jail, where he developed a deep understanding of the correctional system and the mental toll the job can take on those who serve.
In 2006, Aaron transitioned to patrol duty with the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office, where he has continued to serve with dedication and distinction. Today, Aaron is a valued member of the department’s K9 Unit, working alongside his canine partner on search and rescue missions, including cadaver recovery.
His firsthand experience in the field, combined with his commitment to the wellness of both officers and working dogs, makes him a vital part of the Bishop’s Mission team. Aaron is passionate about supporting fellow responders and ensuring K9 handlers have access to the education, resources, and emotional support they need to thrive.