Picture this: K9 calendar has a brand new feature

By Lethbridge Herald on September 19, 2025.

Alejandra Pulido-Guzman
Lethbridge Herald

Lethbridge Police Service has unleashed its 2026 K9 Calendar to support Ned’s Wish, a Canadian non-profit organization dedicated to giving retired police and military service dogs the care they deserve after years of service throughout their golden years. 

Cst. Steve Zwartbol of the LPS K9 Unit alongside PSD Aron, who is featured in the calendar, said Thursday that this year is unique, as they were able to showcase three retired dogs in their calendar. 

“Three of our retired dogs are still alive and well and enjoying retirement to the fullest, so we corroborated that with the calendar, and that aligns with that retired dog and quality of life, and they are the front and focus of that,” said Zwartbol. 

In 2024, the Police Service bid farewell to Zap, Myke and Robby and they are being showcased in this year’s calendar as retired dogs living their best civilian life. 

LPS currently has three working dogs who are showcased in the calendar as well. PSD Aron who is a German Shepard, PSD Brandon a Belgian Malinois and PSD Macho a Belgian Malinois.

“In the front cover you’ll see our three retired dogs with our chief having a discussion, and throughout the calendar you can see the three current working dogs in different scenarios, in different environments,” said Zwartbol. 

K9 teams work alongside frontline officers and are on ‘paw-trol’ to help keep the community safe one bite at a time, and Zwartbol said that while the dogs are working all their expenses are covered. 

“But there is a gap between when a working dog retires and moves into retirement. And when a working dog retires, they’ve had a physically demanding life up to that point, which can then initiate health concerns or struggles in retirement,” said Zwartbol. “So, there is a support network to assist the people who are adopting the dogs cover the expenses and assist with those medical costs that could arise.” 

Zwartbol explained that quite often throughout Canada, when a dog retires, they are adopted out, but in LPS case they become family pets, no longer associated with police service at that point. 

“The biggest reason we are doing this is as a way to give back to our life-long partners that we are creating, to ensure that their needs are met far and beyond just the career they spend working the streets and assisting us,” said Zwartbol. 

He said he hopes the community will purchase calendars as a way to give back to the animals that have given so much to keep the community safe. 

The 2026 K9 calendars are $20 each and available for ‘at the front counter of the police station during business hours Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cash, debit and credit card payments will be accepted.

Calendars can also be ordered online with options for police station pick-up or shipping straight to your doghouse. Visit https://lps-events-and-fundraisers.square.site/k9-calendar-fundraiser to order.

As the holiday season approaches, members of the K9 Unit will also be popping up in the community with special ‘Paw-Pup Shops.’ Stay tuned for more details and location announcements.