The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation announced Monday it will distribute eight grants to police and fire dog programs in Western Pennsylvania and Ohio.
The departments receiving funding this year from the Roethlisberger Foundation include Homestead, Butler, Beaver Falls, Indiana Township, Uniontown, Connellsville, as well as the Martins Ferry and Columbiana Police Departments in Ohio.
The departments will use the grants to create new police dog units, replace retiring dogs, and buy safety and training equipment.
“This will go towards keeping our dogs healthy and the equipment that is needed to keep them safe,” Butler police Chief Bob O’Neill said in a statement.
“The K-9 program continues to grow and improve with the help of not only the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation but the continued support of members of our local community,” Indiana Township police Chief Timothy Michael said. “We are proud to have the only explosive trained dog within all the North Hills’ boroughs and townships.”
The foundation supports police dog units throughout the country, with an emphasis on service dogs in the Pittsburgh area. The foundation has distributed over $2.2 million since 2007, $1.8 million of which has specifically benefited police dog programs.
“We’re very fortunate to be in the position that we are able to help these K-9 units,” Roethlisberger said in a statement. “The work that is performed by the dogs and their handlers as well as the bond that is formed is incredible. We’re just thrilled to do our small part.”
