In 2013, after her own dogs were unable to qualify for Search and Rescue certification due to health concerns, founder Meribeth Broadway set out to support the working dog community in a different way. After learning that handlers often receive little to no funding for essential equipment, she combined her background in canine training and veterinary care to launch Dogs on Duty, providing critical resources to K9 teams in the field.

From outfitting police K9s with Kevlar vests to supplying search and rescue teams with lifesaving gear, Dogs on Duty built its foundation supporting those on the front lines. But as the organization grew, so did its vision—recognizing that a dog’s impact extends far beyond emergency response.

In 2017, Dogs on Duty launched its Therapy Dog Program, bringing trained dogs into schools and facilities to provide comfort, connection, and support. As the program expanded, so did its reach—training therapy and service dogs, supporting handlers, and helping place dogs with individuals and communities in need. Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2018, the program reflects the organization’s evolving mission: continuing to support working K9s while expanding access to therapy and service dogs that improve lives across Missouri.