North Flight Aero Med Transports Injured Police Dogs

A new Michigan program provides emergency air transport for working dogs requiring critical veterinary care.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Pet Health

North Flight Aero Med Transports Injured Police Dogs

Live Poll

Do you support using air medical resources to transport injured police and service dogs?

North Flight Aero Med has launched a program to airlift injured police, military, and public safety dogs to specialized veterinary care. The service connects agencies across Michigan to the Michigan State University Veterinary Medical Center for advanced treatment.

Why it matters

The initiative ensures that K-9 officers experiencing life-threatening conditions like trauma or heat illness receive rapid transport to high-level critical care. Specialized medical intervention is essential for these working dogs, who are often in remote areas when injuries occur.

North Flight Aero Med, a partnership between Corewell Health and Munson Healthcare, uses a specialized robocall system to trigger transport teams. The program supports emergency medicine, surgery, and imaging for dogs facing cardiac arrest or poisoning.

The players

North Flight Aero Med

This is a joint venture between Corewell Health and Munson Healthcare that provides air medical services based in Traverse City.

Michigan State University Veterinary Medical Center

This facility is a major veterinary teaching hospital that offers specialized medical services including surgery, critical care, and blood banking.

The details

Before the official launch, partners established specific transport protocols and conducted a live drill to ensure seamless delivery to the Michigan State University facility. Public safety organizations across the state now have access to this critical care infrastructure for their canine partners.

October 21, 2026: The emergency air transport program officially launched.

Culture Shift

This program marks a shift in how public safety agencies formalize the medical care of working animals, moving away from informal emergency handling. It aligns with broader movements to provide dedicated, high-level healthcare access for K-9 officers comparable to human first responders.

Public safety agencies across Michigan now have a dedicated protocol to secure rapid medical transport for their working dogs during emergencies. This reduces the time canine officers spend waiting for specialized care, potentially improving survival rates for animals serving in the field.

The takeaway

This program highlights the growing recognition of the vital role working dogs play in public safety and the need for specialized emergency infrastructure. Agencies should review their internal protocols to ensure staff are trained to utilize the new robocall system during critical incidents.