K9 Kitt in the News
Relief for K9 Teams Impacted by Hurricanes
The K9 Kitt Foundation taking a proactive approach in the anticipation of aid needed for K9 teams affected by Hurricane Helene across Georgia, North Carolina, and Central Florida. K9 Teams will be front and center assisting in search and rescue of survivors of these storms and they will need our help.
The proceeds from @barrelhousez will be dedicated to help K9 Teams impacted. Plus, the we’ll match up to $2,500 in donations and cover all costs to get this help to them. Our friends at @buzzkill_hives collaborated with Barrel House Z to brew Bee Kind X Buzzkill Beer.
October 11, 2024
When Duty Calls, You Answer
This past week, the foundation had the honor of participating in a very special endeavor to help a police family in need. We partnered with our friends at @leo_weekend to assist the family of a @nypd Police Officer.
The Officer’s Autistic son suffers from Fragile X syndrome. This police family previously had a service dog that unfortunately passed away and since then the son had been struggling to acclimate.
The K9 Kitt Foundation assisted in locating a service dog from a Massachusetts trainer and the dog was given to the family free of charge by the K9 Kitt Foundation and LEO Weekend. Sunny, a beautiful 10 month old female Lab was provided to John Paul and the Amato family on Long Island, New York this past Thursday.
Your support made this possible. Once again, the K9 Kitt Foundation coordinated supporters with the requests of those who are in need of assistance. We will always aid police families when asked, to the best of our abilities when we are blessed with the resources to do so. So thank you to our family of supporters!
We wish the Amato family and Sunny all the best as they begin their time together. Check out the video here https://longisland.news12.com/service-dog-donated-to-bellmore-family-in-need.
October 3, 2024
Third Annual Hero WOD at Cynergy CrossFit
An incredible group of people came together to organize this day to help raise funds to support the foundation’s mission.
We like to thank the team at Cynergy CrossFit – Cindy, Beez and crew for all their hard work. The generous sponsors that stepped forward and supported the event financially. And for all the participants that did the WOD in memory of Kitt.
The WOD consisted of the following:
21 rounds – for the year of the incident with 80lbs weight carry for Kitt’s weight.
6- Deadlifts for the month of June.
5- Hang Power Cleans for the rounds that hit Billy.
4- Squats 4th day of June.
3- Shoulder to Overhead for how many times Kitt was shot.
Thank you all for your support and for supporting our mission.
🇺🇸🖤💙🖤🐾
September 22, 2024
Raffael’s | Big Rico Classic: A Day of Golf, Fun, and Giving Back!
What a fantastic day at the Raffael’s | Big Rico Classic! 🏌️♂️⛳️ We had an incredible time at the beautiful South Shore Country Club, filled with fun, friendly competition, and lots of community spirit. Whether swinging for a cause or cheering from the sidelines, everyone came together to support the K9 Kitt Foundation and The ALS Association. Huge thanks to all the golfers, sponsors, and participants who made the event such a success—we couldn’t have done it without you! See you next year!
August 28, 2024
Our 4th Annual Corn-hole for Kitt!!
We had so much fun at the 4th Annual Cornhole for Kitt event! The day was filled with family fun, from an exciting K9 demonstration to the Jaws of Life demo, Touch-a-Truck, and an awesome obstacle course for the kids courtesy of My Gym Braintree. With food trucks, a beer garden, and incredible raffle prizes, we were able to raise funds for the K9 Kitt Foundation and enjoy a fantastic day with the community. Huge thanks to everyone who joined us!
July 11, 2024
K9 First Aid Training with Brewster Ambulance EMTs and Paramedics
Training days! Over the past two days, members of the foundation have conducted group training sessions with the EMTs and Paramedics of @brewster_ambulance at their Weymouth headquarters. Instruction conducted by Foundation Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Dan Hebert of the Duxbury Animal Hospital(@duxburyanimal) included basic K9 first aid, transport, and scene safety in accordance with Nero’s Law.
Special thanks to the K9 handlers from Randolph, Hingham, and the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office for taking some time and “volunteering” your partners to be the hands-on patients.
April 4, 2024
Billy Accepts K9 Hero Award for Kitt at Law Enforcement Hall of Fame
Billy, our Founder, had the honor and privilege of attending the @nationalleohof National Law Enforcement Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony where he accepted the first ever @foxandhoundk9foundation Fox & Hound K9 Foundation K9 Hero Award on behalf of Kitt.
It was an incredible evening filled with powerful stories of service and sacrifice from our law enforcement heroes across the country.
“Kitt was more than just that one call. He was the missing link, a difference maker and a true warrior. He took his work with unusual ease as if it was his singular purpose in life to protect and serve the good, while hunting down the bad.”
March 13, 2024
Animals In War and Peace Medal Ceremony
Foundation Founder, Billy Cushing, and his fellow K9 handlers and supporters traveled to Washington D.C. to attend the 2024 Animals In War and Peace Medal Ceremony. The Medal of Bravery Award is awarded to animals displaying conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty particularly in the armed forces or civil emergency services.
Billy accepted Medal of Bravery #17 on behalf of Kitt, who was recognized posthumously for his actions in sacrificing himself to protect the lives of his fellow police officers.
The foundation is extremely grateful for this immense honor bestowed upon Kitt and for the recognition Kitt deserves as we continue to move forward in his memory.
March 10, 2024
Running for K9 Kitt – Falmouth Road Race July 26, 2023
Mark your calendars for a great event supporting several local runners who’ll be running the Falmouth Road Race this year to support the foundation. Wednesday, July 26 6-9 PM at the roof deck at Alba Quincy.
Info in the below link https://facebook.com/events/s/running-for-k9-kitt/667159765437691/
JULY 12, 2023
Noelle Humphries of Peace Paw Prints Presents Drawings of K9 Kitt and K9 Lucky
Our founder and President Billy Cushing was honored to accept this framed drawing of K9 Lucky (L) and K9 Kitt (R), beautifully drawn by Noelle Humphries of Peace Paw Prints @paw.prints77. Noelle specializes in pencil drawings of animals. She wanted to personally meet Billy and hand deliver her artwork. We are amazed by her talent memorializing two of Braintree’s K9s who are no longer with us and have crossed over to the 
Rainbow Bridge. Joining Billy in this presentation from left to right is Braintree Mayor Charles Kokoros, Noelle Humphries, Billy Cushing and Braintree Police K9 Officer Paul Zaniboni.
JULY 3, 2023
K9 Kitt Provides Training to Hanson Firefighters
The foundation was honored to provide training to Hanson Firefighters this evening as required under Nero’s Law.
Members of the foundation got to meet K9 Lucy, Hanson Police Department Department Comfort Dog who recently retired due to an illness. We wish Lucy all the best as she hopefully gets better and enjoys a long happy retirement with her handler Officer Harrington and his family.
The foundation also donated two Kitt Kits for use in Hanson’s ambulances.
Through your help and support, this training and medical equipment was provided at no cost.
If you’d like to make a donation to support more training and more donated Kitt Kits (Individual First Aid Kit), you can make a donation by clicking here.
JUNE 28, 2023
K9 Kitt Foundation Supports Texas K9 Officer and Partner K9 During Recovery
K9 Kitt Foundation President Billy Cushing, along with some South Shore area K9 handlers & board members traveled this week to Dallas, Tx in support of DPD K9 Officer, Corporal Scott Jay and his partner K9 Figor. Both were shot in April while tracking an armed suspect and sustained injuries that will take time to recover from. Billy provided support funds directly to Corporal Jay & his family to help during his recovery and absence from work. The K9 Kitt Foundation is committed to aiding K9 handlers like this, across the country.
JUNE 26, 2023
Cornhole for Kitt
Save the date – 3rd Annual Corn Hole for Kitt, Sunday, July 23, 2023
All proceeds benefit the foundation. We’re so grateful for everyone’s support of these past years. 
JUNE 9, 2023
K9 Kitt Foundation Established to Aid Police Canine Teams
BRAINTREE – One year after the shooting death of Braintree Police K9 Kitt and the wounding of three Braintree police officers, a new charitable foundation will support K9 teams nationwide by assisting with equipment, training, and public awareness. The K9 Kitt Foundation is named for heroic K9 teams, the “Guardian of the Guardians” in policing. Kitt was struck by three bullets while defending his fellow officers; three rounds intended for each of those officers on the early summer day. In the wake of K9 Kitt’s loss and as a memorial to his service, his partner, Officer William Cushing, has established the K9 Kitt Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)3. The K9 Kitt Foundation’s purpose is focused on providing relief for violently injured K9 Teams around the country, raising awareness, continuing the education and training of handlers, while ensuring K9 Teams are appropriately equipped.
“Kitt was a one of a kind warrior who gave his life defending me and my fellow officers, it in his memory and the warrior mentality he instinctively possessed that we are forming this foundation to aid other K9 teams nationwide,” said Officer Cushing, K9 Kitt’s partner who was wounded in the shootout. The K9 Kitt Foundation will also serve as facilitator, connecting members of the public interested in providing support to K9 Teams around the country who work tirelessly to serve communities and their front-line policing partners who demonstrate a need for assistance. “From great loss, comes great gain”.
On June 4th, 2021, Officer Cushing and K9 Kitt, in their 10th year together, entered a wood line in Braintree searching for an armed suspect with 2 back-up officers. After countless successful tracks and searches leading to the discovery and apprehension of suspects, this track would be Bill and Kitt’s together. Upon locating the suspect, K9 Kitt advanced into a hail of gunfire from the man. Of the 9 bullets fired at the officers, K9 Kitt was struck by 3 bullets, Officer Cushing was struck by 5 bullets and back-up Officer Donoghue was struck with 1 round. K9 Kitt absorbed the first 3 rounds fired as he advanced on the gunman, creating time and distraction which allowed Officer Cushing, Officer Donoghue and Officer Seibert to return fire and fatally eliminate the ongoing threat.
“I lost my partner and closest friend in that Braintree wood line that day, but I’ve been able to recover and move forward because of Kitt’s fearless bravery and sacrifice,” Officer Cushing said.
JUNE 13, 2022