Hero Dog Foundation

Hero Dog Foundation Rescuing & networking dogs from euthanasia lists across California, with a solid belief that every life matters.

With a second chance, the most vulnerable can become the most valuable! 🐾

Specializing in working breeds & behavior cases.

KEEP IN TOUCH! 🐾Venmo: @/herodogsPhone: (619) 432-7070Website: [ WIP ]Facebook: Hero Dog FoundationEmail: herodogfoundat...
08/31/2025

KEEP IN TOUCH! 🐾

Venmo: @/herodogs

Phone: (619) 432-7070

Website: [ WIP ]

Facebook: Hero Dog Foundation

Email: [email protected]

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Showstopper, the Malinois we've been networking for a few weeks now, has been saved & placed into a home!Thank you to Ch...
07/11/2025

Showstopper, the Malinois we've been networking for a few weeks now, has been saved & placed into a home!

Thank you to Christy Cekander, Amy Lyn Vasquez, and Chris Everhart with Mother of Dragons Rescue for helping share Showstopper and get him out of the shelter before his euth date tomorrow, 7/11.

Going after livestock while at large is no reason to immediately urgent list - a friendly dog deserves a chance!

Proof that sharing dogs and getting them saved go hand in hand. Hard work really does pay off 🥹💪

STEP BY STEP 🪜 Sometimes it's the little things!When we first brought Maverick (fka Koda) into our foster program, he h...
07/10/2025

STEP BY STEP 🪜

Sometimes it's the little things!

When we first brought Maverick (fka Koda) into our foster program, he had to be lifted into the travel crate. Because of his history, this caused a lot of distress and redirection onto the handler.

To show Maverick he could get into the van on his own, we broke out the freeze dried treats. First step? Thigh muscle.

After a bit of muscle building we were able to push Maverick a little further and start teaching him to jump up onto the step (pictured). Now that this is a consistent behavior, we've been working on the final leap - literally!

With patience & a lot of hard work, Maverick has slowly started offering the crate behavior on his own. It's so exciting to watch him learn and begin to thrive despite his difficult past.

Please consider donating to or purchasing items from our Amazon Wishlist to help support Maverick & other dogs like him! 💪🐾

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FOURTH OF JULY SAFETY TIPS 🎇1) Microchip & license your dog.Have your dog chipped and ensure all contact information is ...
07/02/2025

FOURTH OF JULY SAFETY TIPS 🎇

1) Microchip & license your dog.

Have your dog chipped and ensure all contact information is up to date. Ensure your pup is wearing a collar with an ID tag including a legible phone number.

2) Consult your veterinarian.

If your dog struggles with anxiety or has a history of being a flight risk, it's never too soon to contact your veterinarian regarding a sedative or anti-anxiety medication! CBD tinctures are also a great option.

3) Exercise BEFORE the booms.

Try to get as much exercise & play in before sundown - including on the days before AND after July 4th. Many will set off fireworks on the 3rd and 5th, so be prepared! Keep your dog on leash any time they are outside.

4) Provide privacy & security.

Offer a comfortable, quiet space for your dog during the show. Whether it's a room crate, or just a bed, a familiar place to rest can help lower stress levels. Consider playing music, leaving the TV on, or using a white noise machine.

Have a safe and happy Fourth! 🇺🇲🐾

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LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO CALL HOME 🏡 We know Lucky is thankful for getting out of a stressful boarding facility and into o...
06/09/2025

LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO CALL HOME 🏡

We know Lucky is thankful for getting out of a stressful boarding facility and into our foster program, but we also know that he would be even happier in a forever home with a person or family that will be just as loyal as he is!

Here's what you need to know about Lucky:

• 3.5 years old
• neutered male
• Chow (?) mix
• crate trained
• knows basic obedience
• backyard friendly
• low energy but playful

We believe there are just TWO things stopping Lucky from finding his match...

1) Lucky either needs to be the only dog in his new home, OR he needs a family who is open to keeping him separated from their other dog(s). Due to lack of socialization as a young dog and trauma from his past, Lucky is not dog friendly. He can be introduced slowly and may make progress with lots of dedication, but we believe it's best that he is placed without other dogs in the home.

2) Though he loves to play, get scratches, and lay next to you on the couch, Lucky prefers his space. Once you're "chosen", Lucky is more than happy to spend time by your side BUT he would much rather hang out than cuddle and be touchy-feely. Because he was housed in a kennel environment between approximately 4 months old and 2.5 years old, we don't blame him!

If you think your home or family would be right for sweet Lucky, contact us today! He is more than deserving to be out of foster and into his forever. Thank you and Lucky's initial sponsor for helping us bring him into our program! 🥹🐾

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Hero Dog Foundation is a dog rescue founded in honor of Hero, a resilient mixed breed dog saved from a high-risk kill sh...
06/01/2025

Hero Dog Foundation is a dog rescue founded in honor of Hero, a resilient mixed breed dog saved from a high-risk kill shelter in Northern California, and how he found his purpose as a lifesaving service dog. Hero's transformation is the inspiration behind our mission: to give other at-risk dogs the same chance to become "Heroes" in their own right.

We rescue dogs from euthanasia lists at shelters across the state of California, with a solid belief that every life matters - with the right support and motivation, these amazing creatures can change a life as a service dog, emotional support animal, or companion dog.

With a future of non-profit status, foster homes, volunteers, and using our training business to help provide for each rescue dog in our care, the Hero Dog Foundation will always be there to offer full support to the rescue community!

As part of our mission, we focus on pulling dogs with behavioral challenges. Our dedicated team, though small, works to transform these dogs in danger into well-adjusted partners. Each placement is a tribute to Hero's legacy, and a reminder that with a second chance, the most vulnerable can become the most valuable.

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KEEP IN TOUCH! 🐾Venmo: @/herodogsWeb: heroick9s.comPhone: (619) 393-8349Facebook: HeroicK9s LLCEmail: contact@heroick9s....
06/01/2025

KEEP IN TOUCH! 🐾

Venmo: @/herodogs

Web: heroick9s.com

Phone: (619) 393-8349

Facebook: HeroicK9s LLC

Email: [email protected]

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GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN 🐾This Memorial Day, we're honoring our four-legged American Heroes by bringing light to an incred...
05/26/2025

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN 🐾

This Memorial Day, we're honoring our four-legged American Heroes by bringing light to an incredible art piece that is often overlooked.

"In everlasting memory of all the heroic war dogs who served, died, and were left behind in the Vietnam War" - John Burnam, Vietnam Scout Dog Handler

The Not Forgotten Fountain is a memorial piece highlighting not only the bond between a soldier and their war dog, but the heartbreaking story of the nearly three thousand military working dogs left behind after the Vietnam War.

Mere hours before they were scheduled to be airlifted back to the U.S., the dogs were downgraded from their high status as soldiers to being considered non-essential equipment, forcing their handlers and caretakers to leave them on foreign soil. While some were able to be transferred to the Vietnam Army, the majority were euthanized or simply released and left to fend for themselves.

Today, be sure to include these incredible military working dogs as we remember and mourn those who have died giving their lives for the safety and security of our country.

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MAJOR MILESTONE 🎉If you've been keeping up with our stories, you'll know that we've collaborated with to take Maverick,...
05/24/2025

MAJOR MILESTONE 🎉

If you've been keeping up with our stories, you'll know that we've collaborated with to take Maverick, formerly Koda, into our Train To Home program.

This sweetheart unexpectedly lost his owner to cancer, and though he was placed into boarding by a loved one, he quickly declined. He lost weight, started showing obsessive-compulsive behaviors, and began to self harm. KER reached out for our help, and Maverick immediately pulled our heartstrings!

Maverick has been with us nearly a month now - today he even had a bath and blow-dry! Though he still has some weight to gain, we've seen a total behavioral 360. Through consistent care & dedication, Maverick will be able to be rehabilitated and will receive basic training to prepare him for adoption.

Be sure to give us a follow to join Maverick on his journey! 🐕🐾

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Hello HeroicK9s Family,This is Elias, the owner of HeroicK9s LLC. I wanted to share a quick update about some changes co...
05/15/2025

Hello HeroicK9s Family,

This is Elias, the owner of HeroicK9s LLC. I wanted to share a quick update about some changes coming up while we plan for 2026.

As we continue to grow and evolve our small business helping dogs of all shapes and sizes, we’ll be gradually phasing out private sessions for new clients until further notice. Existing client? Don’t worry! We'll still be here for you & your dog and will continue to offer the same one-on-one support you’ve come to expect!

In the coming months, we’ll be hosting more pack walks, group classes, and social events to bring clients together and offer structured, real-world practice! We’ll also be opening up limited spots for Train To Home fosters, day camps, and Board & Train programs. These changes will help us better serve clients while also giving us the flexibility to fine-tune the offerings and resources we provide.

Looking ahead, our goal is to rebuild and reintroduce a wider variety of services - including a non-profit rescue, service & working dog placement program, AND private training at a lower cost than we currently offer! We’re extremely excited for this next chapter and want to express our gratitude for your continued support and patience while we make this transition.

If you have any questions or want to stay in the loop about upcoming events, feel free to reach out via text at (619)393-8349 and follow us here on Instagram as well as on our page for updates!

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MISSING THE COOLER WEATHER 🥱 Throwing it back to when it was a smooth 75° here in San Diego and cool enough for a SeaWor...
05/09/2025

MISSING THE COOLER WEATHER 🥱

Throwing it back to when it was a smooth 75° here in San Diego and cool enough for a SeaWorld trip...

While we're currently not bringing in any new clients, our Ultimate Service Hero Pro AND our Raise & Train waiting lists are open for 2026!

Whether you're looking for a started service dog puppy, a fully trained service dog, a home deterrent dog, or a well-trained companion, we have a program that's right for you 🙌

If you're interested in learning more, drop comment below OR text us at (619)393-8349. We look forward to hearing from you! 🐕‍🦺🐾

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THROWBACK TO 2024 ⏳While our boarding kennels are out of commission, we've been looking fondly back on memories from bot...
03/29/2025

THROWBACK TO 2024 ⏳

While our boarding kennels are out of commission, we've been looking fondly back on memories from both when it was initially built and when it was at its peak!

In March of 2024 we had a MAJOR breakthrough with Lucky, one of our current foster dogs from . After more than 3 years living purely in the craziness of a municipal shelter or large-scale kennel environment, being cared for alongside 30+ other abandoned dogs by , and being taken in by us, he was extremely reactive (bordering on aggressive!), horrendous on leash, and had little to no early socialization that would have been crucial to his development.

With tons of hard work, Lucky finally showed us that he wanted to engage with us to train, play, and explore. He started going out to parks and malls, joining us on pack walks, and even playing fetch in the backyard!

Lucky is still improving and we know he would do amazingly with a forever person or family that is looking for a dog that will chew a bone, hang out on a bed or on the couch, or even stay in the backyard in a covered area - so many options are possible for this lovely boy.

If you're interested in adopting Lucky, have questions about our Train To Home program, or are interested in donating supplies to help us keep the program running, don't hesitate to reach out! 🍀🐾

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Address

San Diego, CA
92108

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 7pm
Tuesday 8am - 7pm
Wednesday 8am - 7pm
Thursday 8am - 7pm
Friday 8am - 7pm
Saturday 8am - 7pm

Telephone

+16193938349

Website

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