K9 Kop Project founder, Vickie Richards has a passion and love for animals, especially dogs, and with an extensive background in business development, and years dedicated to helping others follow their dreams, it was time to follow her own dream.

“I’ve had animals all my life, and from the time I was a little girl my dream was to be working with them in as many ways as possible.”
A U.S. Army Veteran who loves working with people (especially veterans and LEO’S) and animals, I’ve made it my mission to try to help charitable foundations, animal businesses, and animal rescue operations run more efficiently and effectively.
A Lehigh Valley native, Richards’ left the military and spent many years in other states, working and owning a variety of businesses, Richards’ moved back in 2011 to be around family in the Lehigh Valley. I’m currently in Walnutport, Pennsylvania, and applying my business knowledge to benefit my own foundation the K9 Kop Project which helps supply K9 units with everything from K9s to equipment to immediate needs and emergency supplies.

The fundraising and education never stops, any chance I get I will make the time to talk to individuals and groups about our mission. We negotiate with some of the best equipment manufacturers, companies, and local small businesses to get them what they need to stay safe.

We have several events throughout the year to help raise money to include a K9 officer calendar, photos with Santa and a K9 Officer, a 5k run, and 1 mile Pet walk with our signature yearly event the “East Coast K9 Trials” (ECK9 trials) it’s is a fun-filled, educational event that allows the public to come and watch K9 and military officers compete against each other.

This event helps the public to understand the day-to-day challenges and needs the units to face and allows us to raise money to donate back to them and their brother and sister Leos throughout the US.

Ultimately, raising money to support the needs of the officers could never happen without family, friends, volunteers, interns and communities from all over the US who understand just how important K9 Units are at providing safety while on duty.

Gloria Domina is a resident of the Lehigh Valley and a community activist involved in many organizations against bullying, domestic violence, and promoting the arts and music.

She is a two-time Grammy Nominee and Grammy-winning Producer. She also is a Governor of the Recording Academy, the Philadelphia Chapter. She is a Board Member of the GLVMA/LVMA. She has won numerous awards including Local, Statewide, and National Woman of the Year.