More than 13 years ago, the nation’s attention was glued to the unfolding events surrounding the bombings at the 117th Boston Marathon. A multi-agency manhunt led law enforcement personnel from the finish line to Watertown, Massachusetts, where more improvised explosive devices were detonated and a firefight erupted between officers and Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. In the end, Tamerlan died from injuries sustained during the confrontation, while Dzhokhar was taken into custody, tried and convicted. Newton Police Department K-9 Officer Dakota and his handler, Officer Daniel Valente, were on the front lines throughout many of the developments during those harrowing four days in April 2013.

Over the past dozen years, it has become well documented that exposure to such traumatic, violent and horrific events can lead to first responders experiencing psychological injuries, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). But what impact do such events have on canines? Looking back at Dakota’s post-bombing behavior, including biting a child 19 months after the marathon, it appears he, too, suffered psychological consequences.

Research^[1]Caring for a Dog With PTSD, Texas A&M University Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2020) vetmed.tamu.edu/news/pet-talk/caring-for-a-dog-with-ptsd. indicates that as many as 17% of working dogs worldwide suffer from canine post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD). Law enforcement agencies throughout the U.S. employ approximately 50,000 K-9 teams.

The newly enacted Retired Police and Military K9 Care Fund, signed into law last month by Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, seeks to ensure working dogs have access to rehabilitative care to recover from C-PTSD and physical conditions after their service to police departments or military units has ended.

Originally introduced in 2025, the measure passed as an amendment to the state’s fiscal year 2027 budget with overwhelming support. The fund assumes the financial responsibility for veterinary care, rather than requiring handlers, departments or private donors to cover the costs. A committee will manage the fund and distribute grants for eligible veterinary care.

“When his duty ended, the responsibility for his medical care and well-being did not end. Dakota’s Law means that the K-9 heroes who protected our communities will now have support, dignity and care during their retirement. Dakota’s legacy will live on through every retired K-9 this law helps,” James LaMonte, founding director of the Massachusetts-based nonprofit K9 PTSD Research Center, told MassLive.com. LaMonte helped Dakota through his rehab during the dog’s retirement until his death in 2022.

Additionally, Dakota’s Law changes the formal designation of K-9s from police department property to trained public servants.

“This law carries Dakota’s name, but it belongs to every K-9 hero who has ever served,” LaMonte said. “They stood beside their handler during their most dangerous moments of service. We now have a responsibility to stand beside them when their service is complete.”