About Us

During the fall of 2017, one of Jonesborough’s police dogs was retired due to the development of Degenerative Myelopathy (DM).  This meant that the town was down to one canine and, as a result, had limited coverage by this valuable asset to the Department of Public Safety.  In addition, in the spring of 2018, there were two incidents in Jonesborough were a K-9 would have been valuable – one where no appropriately trained K-9 was available to help and one where we were able to borrow a dog with the needed skill and, as a result, a successful happy ending.

As a result of these occurrences, a citizen of Jonesborough organized a committee of citizens and key Jonesborough employees to discuss the possibility of raising funds to obtain additional K-9’s and support the K-9 program for the town.  The name “Paws In Blue” was chosen and we went to work developing plans to raise funds.

The first opportunity to raise money was during Jonesborough Days, an annual festival held by the town during the 4^th of July holiday period.  Members of the committee set up a booth to provide educational information about police K-9’s, provide information related to a planned event and to raise funds by donations.  The sewing group at the Jonesborough Senior Center made “Doggie Scarves” which were available for a donation.  As a result of participation in this event, we raised nearly $2000.

In September of 2018, the committee held its major fundraiser, a canine competition. Prior to the event, area businesses had jars strategically placed where customers made donations.  The day before the event, we had a “Celebrity Bagging” at a local grocery store.  A local television celebrity, the Chiefs of Police and Fire departments, the Mayor, Aldermen, and police officers all participated.

The major fundraising event was a police canine competition with vendors with dog related items and food trucks.   Nine area police dogs representing five area police and sheriff’s departments participated.  Areas of competition included article search, hardest bite and fastest dog.  As a result of this event, we raised nearly $5,000.

In October, Paws in Blue set up a display during the National Storytelling Festival.  Again, we provided educational information and raised funds by donations to support the Department of Public Safety’s K-9 program.

As a result of the efforts of this committee and its members, we now have a three K-9’s:

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Loki, an 8 year old chocolate lab, has been with the department since the beginning of his career and is trained in tracking, article search, obedience and narcotics detection.

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Our second addition is Cygan, a 2 year old Belgian Malinois Shepard mix trained in apprehension, explosives detection, building clearing, area searches and tracking.

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Our newest member of our canine corps is Nero, a Dutch Shepherd who is currently training with his handler Tammy Ray in Michigan.  We anticipate their duty in Jonesborough to begin by the end of May.

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In December of 2018, Paws in Blue incorporated with the state of Tennessee and became Jonesborough Paws In Blue, Inc.  In addition application to the IRS for approval as a 501(c)(3) organization has resulted in approval.

Jonesborough Paws In Blue, Inc. plans to continue fundraising events during 2019.  Plans to participate in Jonesborough Days and the National Storytelling Festival are developing.  In addition, a second Paws In Blue regional K-9 competition will be held on June 15^th at the Jonesborough Middle School.  Support for development of a training area for K-9’s to use to meet their certification requirements will be provided.  Events will be conducted to allow residents of Jonesborough to “meet” our K-9’s.  Plans also include taking the dogs to area schools to provide information about police dogs and to expose students and faculty to police officers and police dogs.