Injuries force Midstate search and rescue K-9 into retirement
After 25 years with the department, Walker says this has been one of the hardest requests of her life.
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - There’s a Middle Tennessee hero who has spent her life helping others — now, she’s the one in need.
Willow, an eight-year-old chocolate lab, has dedicated her life to serving the Midstate as a search and rescue K-9 for the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.
Her handler, Brenda Walker, has been by her side since Willow was a puppy. Together, they’ve worked on numerous cases.
They’ve helped law enforcement officers narrow their search during missing persons investigations and also made sure everyone was accounted for following natural disasters.
“They can find things that technology can’t,” Walker said, reflecting on Willow’s unique skill set as a K-9 trained in air-sensing. “She works off-leash, and we’ve done a lot of human remains searches, several out of county all the way to Chattanooga.”
Willow has played a role in search efforts after major disasters, including the deadly Clarksville tornado in December 2023 and the Waverly flood. However, after suffering an injury during recovery from a previous surgery, Willow now needs another procedure to repair a torn ligament in her knee.
“I just want to see her walk again and see the kids in the neighborhood who love her and support her,” Walker said.
Willow has since been forced into early retirement, and Walker is now raising $7,000 for the surgery that will allow Willow to live pain-free and enjoy her well-deserved retirement.
“She deserves that after everything she’s been through,” Walker said.
After 25 years with the department, Walker says this has been one of the hardest requests of her life.
If you would like to help Willow get the surgery she needs to run and play again, donations can be made to her GoFundMe.
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