Diaz Family Nonprofit Honors Retired K9s
Project Always Beside You provides vital medical and equipment support for retired military working dogs.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Dogs
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The El Paso-based nonprofit Project Always Beside You serves retired K9 units by funding medical care and equipment. The organization honors the memory of Marine Christopher Diaz, who passed away while serving in Afghanistan.
Why it matters
The organization addresses the financial gap in care for military working dogs after their service ends. It ensures these animals receive medical support and equipment while honoring the legacy of fallen soldiers.
Project Always Beside You provides dedicated medical and equipment support for retired military K9s. The nonprofit is based in El Paso and operates specifically to fund end-of-service needs for veteran working dogs.
The players
Project Always Beside You
This El Paso-based nonprofit organization provides medical care and equipment to support retired military K9 units.
Christopher Diaz
A fallen Marine who served in Afghanistan and handled the K9 Dino before his death in 2011.
Dino
A military working dog who served with Christopher Diaz and was later adopted by the Diaz family following his retirement in 2014.
The details
Founded by the Diaz family, the organization specifically supports retired K9s and their handlers. The initiative honors Christopher Diaz, a Marine who served alongside his K9 partner, Dino, and died in the line of duty.
Timeline
Christopher Diaz died in Afghanistan in 2011.
K9 Dino retired from active military service in 2014.
Culture Shift
This initiative follows a pattern established by the 2000 Robby Law, which mandated that military working dogs could be adopted after retirement. The organization extends this legacy by ensuring the long-term medical care for these veterans.
Residents in El Paso may choose to support this nonprofit to assist in the high costs associated with geriatric veterinary care for retired K9s. Participation allows the local community to directly contribute to the equipment and medical equipment needed for these veteran dogs.
The takeaway
Supporting veteran working dogs requires consistent funding for long-term medical needs once their military service concludes. Families can honor the bond between soldiers and their K9 partners by contributing to organizations that manage these specialized healthcare costs.
Further reading
Learn more about the evolving landscape of pet care in our Dogs section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KDBC.
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Should retired military and law enforcement K9s receive government-funded support for their retirement care?
