Retired police dog now helps to save lives through doggy first aid courses 

A retired police dog who once searched for explosives at a Royal Estate now helps to save the lives of other dogs. 

Izzy worked for more than five years across Norfolk, with the Norfolk and Suffolk Constabulary Joint Dog Section, as an explosive detection dog.  She worked at the Sandringham Estate and also helped with Royal visits across the region, at music festivals and travelled to the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

When Izzy, now seven, retired in 2024 she was adopted by Paul Watts, from Lowestoft in Suffolk, whose friend worked within the police dog unit and told him she was looking for a home. 

The pair soon enrolled in training classes and Izzy quickly achieved her Kennel Club Good Citizens Award. Now, Izzy helps Paul with his work, providing healthcare training including dog first aid. 

Paul said: “It feels like Izzy has gone full-circle in her life; she was trained to save lives as an explosive search dog and now she’s got another chance to save lives by helping me train dog owners in vital canine first aid.” 

Paul, who also owns two other spaniels, uses his dogs to help him demonstrate first aid to owners, who can also get real-life practice by using his dogs for some of the practical aspects of the training. 

“Izzy is such a friendly, laid-back dog who adores any sort of attention, so she loves to lay there and get petted while being bandaged up!” 

Paul Watts.

Izzy is supported by the Thin Blue Paw Foundation, a charity that supports serving and retired police dogs across the UK.  The charity contributed towards the cost of her treatment for a tooth abscess caused by a broken tooth. 

“I spotted a lump on Izzy’s face just a week after adopting her,” Paul said. “She had a broken tooth which had caused an abscess so she needed antibiotics to treat it and surgery to remove the tooth. The Foundation paid for 60% of the bill which was a huge help for us. 

“I now have a very happy and loving dog who is healthy and helps other people. Everyone loves her and it’s so wonderful to see her living a new life.” 

“It’s an honour to support dogs like Izzy. She spent many years serving her country as a police dog and it’s such an inspiration to see that she’s now helping dogs and their owners too. 

“We’re so proud to say we’ll be there for dogs like Izzy, and their owners, in their times of need.” 

Kieran Stanbridge, Chairman, Thin Blue Paw Foundation.

The industry will once again be gathering at the NEC, Birmingham for The Emergency Services Show, co-located with The Emergency Tech Show, on 17-18 September, check out the full exhibitor list here. You can find the Thin Blue Paw Foundation in Hall 5, Stand CZ73.

On day 2 of the show, you can take part in our Discover the Dogs of the Emergency Services session, hosted by the Thin Blue Paw Foundation. Meet at The Community Hub 11:00 – 11:55 to meet remarkable dogs and their handlers, gain insights into canine support for the blue light sector, and enjoy treats and exclusive offers from Sabre Dog Food, our Ambassadogs campaign sponsor.

Chairman Kieran Stanbridge will also be hosting a session entitled ‘How to campaign for changes to the law: pensions for police dogs‘ on day 2 of the show at 9:30 in the Community Hub.