The Richard McLaughin Center for Operational K9s (COPK9) was developed in late 2025 to address the healthcare and performance needs of Operational K9s, i.e. those K9s who work for local, state, or federal agencies to perform law enforcement work or duties such as scent detection, search and rescue, or patrol and apprehension. The COPK9 program is built on a 3-part framework to address OpK9 needs: (1) Training and Education for veterinary professionals, veterinary students, K9 Handlers, and EMS personnel; (2) Clinical Research; and (3) Clinical Programs to directly address some of the gaps in healthcare identified for these working dogs. An essential component of the COPK9 program is to partner with regional veterinary professionals and national subject matter experts to help develop evidence-based standards of care for OpK9s.
At the Richard McLaughlin Center for Operational K9s (OpK9s), our mission is to optimize the health and performance of OpK9s through innovative education, training, and research programs, empowering veterinary professionals, K9 handlers, and first responders to achieve excellence in their care and service.
Please contact the COPK9 Program at copk9@tufts.edu if you are interested in volunteering, learning more about their various programs, or enrolling in training.
Support COPK9 today—email copk9@tufts.edu or make a gift through Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine's donation page and choose COPK9.
Meet the inaugural Director of Richard McAughlin Center for Operational K9S.
Richard McLaughlin Center for Operational K9s
Center for Animals and Public Policy
200 Westboro Road
North Grafton, MA 01536
Email: copk9@tufts.edu