All posts by Rene Averett

Events

Barks & Badges – Save the Date!

K9 Partners is excited to announce that Barks and Badges will be moving to Rancho San Rafael in North Reno this summer! Plans are underway to bring you an exciting and fun event for the whole family (except pets – please leave your pet children at home).

When: Sunday, August 2nd
Time: 10 am to 2 pm
Where: Rancho San Rafael – Reno, Nevada
Admission: FREE

Please note: While the admission is free, we are inviting you to help us feed pets in need by bringing a canned or dry pet food donation.

More details will be coming as we get closer to the event. Vendor request details will be posted soon.

Poster for 2026 Barks and Badges

New Dogs

Welcome to K9 RIPP!

The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office has welcomed a new K9 the team. We, at K9 Partners, are proud to have purchased K9 Ripp, along with all his equipment and training, for the WCSO K9 Unit, made possible by the generous donations from all of you!! We hope that K9 Ripp and his partner, Deputy Clark, will be a huge asset to Washoe County and provide many years of safety and security for the people here.

From the WCSO’s welcome: Sheriff Balaam and the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office family are proud to introduce the newest member of our K9 Unit, K9 Ripp.

Born on March 10, 2024, K9 Ripp is a highly athletic Malinois–Shepherd mix with excellent obedience and a very social demeanor. From the start, Ripp has shown that he is right at home with his new family and eager to get to work. He is a dual-purpose K9, highly trained in narcotics detection, apprehension, and tracking, and will proudly serve our community alongside his partner, Deputy Clark.

“K9 Ripp’s athleticism, strong work ethic, and confident temperament make him an outstanding addition to our K9 Unit,” said Sheriff Balaam. “He is already proving to be a valuable partner to Deputy Clark, and we look forward to the impact this team will have in keeping our community safe. I would also like to extend a sincere thank you to Washoe County K9 Partners. Their continued support and strong connection with our community play an invaluable role in supporting all of our K9 teams.”

Events, Gift Items

🐾 Support Our K9 Heroes—Get Your 2026 Washoe County K9 Calendar! 🐾

Celebrate the courage and companionship of our Washoe County K9s and their deputy partners with this stunning 28-page full-color calendar. Each month features vivid photography and practical calendar layouts that honor the dedication of these working dogs.

📅 Donation: $20
🚚 Shipping: $5
💙 All proceeds directly support the Washoe County K9 Unit

You can purchase your calendar online at Gift Shop to have it mailed to you, or pick one up in person at the Scheels Meet & Greet on November 15, 10 AM – 2 PM.

🎁 These calendars make thoughtful gifts for dog lovers, law enforcement supporters, and anyone who appreciates the bond between K9s and their handlers.

Thank you for supporting our four-legged heroes!

Uncategorized

Barks and Badges This Saturday!

Yes! Barks and Badges is still on although the bright sunny day is predicted to be HOT! Last time we checked, it will be around 84-degrees at 10 am when the gates open for the event. By 2 pm, it will be about 94 degrees. Of course, this is Reno, and those temps are subject to change at a moment’s notice!

Still, please plan for the hot weather. Wear light-colored clothing to reflect the heat, carry an umbrella or a sun hat to protect your skin, use sunscreen and bring plenty of water or be prepared to purchase drinks at the event. We will have three food trucks on the site, including the ice cream one! Make sure the kids have protection also. If you have hand-held and battery-operated personal fans, bring those.

While there is quite a bit of shade at the park, some of the events are in the arena where none is available, so please be prepared.

Do NOT bring any pets to the park during this event and don’t leave them in your car. It will be too hot!

If you are concerned about our WCSO K9s, they will not be out in the sun for any extended time and they have an air-conditioned vehicle to rest in between appearances.

We hope to see many of you there, so stop at the K9 Partners booth and say hello.