K9 Occupational Wellness Program
Supporting Dogs with a Purpose. Supporting the People Beside Them.
Working dogs are dogs with a purpose-driven role that supports people, communities, or public service. At Bishop's Mission, we believe that when these dogs are healthy, resilient, and supported, they are better able to care for the people who depend on them.
Mission Ready. Team Supported.
it started with Bishop
Bishop's Mission began with one dog whose purpose was to serve. Bishop's journey reminded us that countless dogs dedicate their lives to helping others in different ways. Today, that mission extends beyond our own team to support purpose-driven canine teams through wellness, education, peer support, and individualized assistance.
These dogs require specialized support to stay healthy and mission-ready
The K9 Occupational Wellness Program recognizes
Every team is different.
Some need education.
Some need nutritional guidance.
Some need peer support.
Some need assistance.
Some simply need someone to walk beside them.
Bishop’s Mission’s K9 Occupational Wellness Program exists because working dogs — including K9s, service dogs for veterans and first responders, department-affiliated support and facility dogs, and search & rescue teams — give everything to the people who depend on them.
We believe the humans and dogs behind that work deserve support that goes beyond a one-time donation, a single vet bill, or a library of general resources.
Through The MISSION Team Model, every enrolled team develops an ongoing relationship with Bishop’s Mission.
The MISSION Team Model is our individualized, relationship-based approach to supporting working-dog teams throughout their working life. It allows us to understand the full picture — the handler, the dog, the job, the environment, the workload, the challenges, and the goals of the team.
Bridging The Gap
The MISSION team Model
M — Meet the Team
Understand the handler, dog, role, environment, history, workload, and goals.
I — Identify Needs
Recognize health, behavioral, operational, emotional, preparedness, and resource needs.
S — Set Priorities
Determine what matters most right now and what the team wants to accomplish.
S — Support the Team
Provide education, peer support, resources, referrals, advocacy, and practical assistance.
I — Individualize the Plan
Create recommendations for that specific team rather than relying on a generic checklist.
O — Ongoing Connection
Continue checking in as health, workload, assignments, and life circumstances change.
N — Navigate What’s Next
Help the team move through new challenges, transitions, retirement, professional referrals, or additional support.
Every MISSION Team is supported under the Bishop Standard
Individualized — Every handler, dog, job, and environment is different.
Whole-Team Focused — The wellbeing of the handler and dog are interconnected.
Relationship-Based — Support does not end after one conversation or one event.
Collaborative — We work alongside veterinarians, trainers, departments, peer-support professionals, and other trusted resources.
Built for the Working Life — From active service through changing assignments, aging, retirement, and beyond.
how we help
A study in the United Kingdom found that nearly 75 percent of dogs exhibit signs of depression or anxiety, with many of those symptoms going unrecognized by their handlers or owners.
Without proactive wellness care and recovery support, working K9s can experience burnout that impacts both their health and their ability to serve. Bishop’s Mission exists to help prevent this by supporting the long term wellness, resilience, and readiness of service K9s so they can continue to support first responders & veterans at their best.
K9 Education
Nutrition & Wellness Guidance
K9 Peer Support
Resource Navigation
Wellness Check-ins
Emergency Assistance (when available)
Food & Supply Assistance (when available)
The K9 Occupational Wellness Program is made possible through the generosity of our Mission Dog Team Supporters. Your monthly support helps us provide wellness resources, education, peer support, and individualized assistance to purpose-driven canine teams across our communities.
Because when your dogs thrive, your whole team thrives.