Katie’s Heart Animal Services, Inc

09/11/2026

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Bretagne was only 2 years old when she arrived at one of the most devastating disaster scenes in American history.

Twenty-five years after 9/11, her story remains one of the most powerful chapters in the history of America’s search dogs.

Bretagne was a Golden Retriever partnered with Denise Corliss of Texas Task Force 1.

After the World Trade Center attacks, the newly certified search team deployed to New York. Bretagne spent about 10 days working through the wreckage at Ground Zero, searching among concrete, twisted steel, ash and debris.

It was her first major deployment.

It would not be her last.

Bretagne later responded to other disasters, including Hurricane Katrina, before retiring from active search work. In retirement, she continued serving her community, including spending time with children as a reading assistance dog.

Then, in 2014, something meaningful happened.

At 15 years old, Bretagne returned to New York with Denise and visited the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. A memorial cobblestone had also been dedicated in their names.

By 2016, Bretagne was believed to be the last known surviving search dog that had worked at Ground Zero.

Age had finally caught up with her.

On June 6, Denise brought the 16-year-old Golden Retriever to a veterinary hospital in Cypress, Texas, for the final time.

Bretagne did not walk inside unnoticed.

Firefighters and search-and-rescue personnel lined her path.

They stood at attention.

And as the elderly dog slowly passed them, they saluted.

There is no need to imagine that Bretagne understood anniversaries or memorials.

What we know is enough.

At 2 years old, she went where she had been trained to go when people desperately needed help.

For 10 days, she worked beside her handler at Ground Zero.

Fifteen years later, the people who understood exactly what that service meant stood quietly and honored her one last time.

Today, on the 25th anniversary of September 11, we remember the people whose lives were lost and the first responders who carried an unimaginable burden.

And among those stories, there is still room to remember one Golden Retriever who answered the call beside them.

Her name was Bretagne.

09/11/2026

name that plant!!

09/11/2026

Sale Post
Hanging towels handmade by Linda Poe all proceeds to Katie's Heart $7 ea or 2/$13
pm to calculate shipping if you are not local

09/11/2026

09/11/2026

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25 YEARS LATER, WE REMEMBER THE ANIMAL HEROES OF 9/11 🇺🇸🐾

When the World Trade Center towers fell on September 11, 2001, hundreds of specially trained search-and-rescue dogs were deployed to Ground Zero, the Pentagon and other affected areas.

Working beside their human handlers, they climbed across unstable wreckage, squeezed into dangerous spaces and searched tirelessly for survivors. As hope of finding people alive began to fade, they continued the heartbreaking task of locating those who had been lost.

Other dogs provided something equally important: comfort.

Therapy dogs sat beside exhausted emergency workers, grieving families and traumatised survivors. They offered warmth and companionship during moments when words simply weren’t enough.

The animals could not understand the enormity of what had happened, but they understood their purpose. They searched when asked, remained beside their handlers and brought comfort simply by being there.

Some suffered cuts, dehydration and exhaustion, while handlers carefully washed dust and debris from their eyes, paws and coats. Contrary to a commonly repeated claim, most of the search dogs did not die shortly afterwards—but their service placed enormous physical and emotional demands upon them.

Today, none of the known 9/11 search dogs remain alive. Yet their courage, loyalty and service have never been forgotten.

Twenty-five years later, we remember every life lost, every person who ran towards danger—and the remarkable animals who stood faithfully beside them.

09/11/2026

🐾 SPAY/NEUTER VOUCHER UPDATE — PLEASE READ! 🐾

The response to our spay/neuter program continues to be incredible! ❤️ Because of the overflow from our September trip, spots for the October 8 trip are already filled, and some spots for October 29 have also been claimed.

If you need assistance, please get your application in as soon as possible. I cannot hold a spot based on a message or verbal request. Your spot is not secured until I have received your completed application AND your deposit has been paid.

Our current grant funding is getting close to being fully used. I am working diligently to secure additional grants so that Katie’s Heart can continue offering this much-needed service to our community.

I will continue doing everything I can to accommodate as many families and cats as possible within the available appointment dates and remaining grant funds. Every cat we can get spayed or neutered makes a difference—not only for that animal, but for our entire community. 🐱❤️

Please don’t wait to apply. Once the remaining grant funds and appointments are gone, we may have to pause the program until additional funding can be secured.

Small choice. BIG impact. Fewer litters. Fewer homeless cats. 🐾

09/11/2026

We are almost completely out of supplies, and right now we are barely keeping our heads above water.

Every time we hold a fundraiser and finally make a dent in our vet bill, another animal needs medical care. It feels like we are constantly trying to catch up, and lately it has become overwhelming.

Katie’s Heart is currently responsible for 54 animals. Anyone who has pets knows how quickly the cost adds up for food, monthly preventatives, litter, treats, toys, vaccines, flea medication, and veterinary care. Multiply those expenses by 54, and the amount it takes just to meet their basic needs is tremendous.

Each month, I struggle to make a meaningful payment toward our veterinary balance while also making sure every animal has the food and supplies they need. I have also had two of my own dogs diagnosed with diabetes, which has added significant personal expenses and made it much harder for me to step in financially when donations are low—something I have had to do many times.

As a rescue, we work hard to be resourceful. We use every available program we can find to reduce expenses, apply for assistance and grants, stretch donations as far as possible, and hold fundraisers that give our supporters something in return. But sometimes, even all of that simply isn’t enough.

I truly hate asking for help over and over, but right now we need it. It is stressful being responsible for so many animals without the security of knowing that we will have everything needed to care for them.

If you can help in any way, it would mean more than you know. A bag of dog or cat food, a box of litter, vaccines or flea prevention, a small donation toward our vet bill, participating in one of our fundraisers, organizing a food or supply drive, or even simply sharing this post can make a difference.

No donation or act of support is too small. When many people give a little, together we can continue providing these animals with the care, safety, and second chances they deserve.

Thank you for continuing to stand behind Katie’s Heart and the animals who depend on us. 💕🐾

09/10/2026

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09/10/2026

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Is it warm outside? 🌞 YES!

Is winter coming? 🥶 ALSO YES!!!!!

NOW IS THE TIME to prepare for Winter for your community Cats!!!!

Please don’t wait until winter is here. Get their shelters out and ready, if they are not out yet. I think it is best to leave the shelters out your round, but I know not everybody does that.

Get some straw in there to get them used to it. Give them time to acclimate to the shelters before the cold sets in. Far too many people wait until it is freezing cold out to get shelters put out and that does not give them time to acclimate. Not preparing early  allows them far too much time to potentially wander off somewhere else seeking shelter, or be freezing out there.

I know it’s the last thing we want to think about while it is still so warm, but the cold will be here before we know it, and we really need to allow the kitties time to acclimate to their winter shelters before the cold comes! 

09/09/2026

Winner Teresa Mason