The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department says that there is a program to help pay for the lifelong medical and care expenses for police dogs after they retire from service.

According to the sheriff’s department Facebook page, after the dogs leave police service they are no longer covered by local governments. Instead, the former police dog’s handlers can spend up to $20,000 out of their own pocket caring for the animals. Most dogs retire when they are about 10, but still live with their handlers until they die at about the age of 15.

The department is pointing people who want to help to Project K-9 Hero. The program provides up to $3,000 a year for the care, medical needs and eventual expense when the dog dies. There are about 15 dogs on the program now.

The sheriff’s department has two police dogs now, Bolt and Diesel.

For more information on Project K-9 Hero or to donate, click here.