North Flight Aero Med Launches 24/7 Air Transport for Injured Police K-9s in Michigan
Why It MattersAir medical operators are widening their mission profile beyond human patients, adding a niche, low-frequency service line that depends on partnerships with hospital systems and universities.
North Flight Aero Med, an air medical program in northern Michigan, has launched a 24/7 transport service for injured or critically ill police K-9s, described as the first service of its kind in Michigan. It was developed with Munson Healthcare, Corewell Health and Michigan State University, and is meant to shorten the trip to advanced veterinary care for K-9s hurt in remote areas, where local clinics may not be able to handle critical cases.
Clinical flight operations manager Leslie Schutte said clinics cannot provide some of the critical care needed when K-9s are injured in the line of duty, and that Michigan State University is the go-to location. A drive from northern Michigan to the Michigan State University Veterinary Clinic can take up to three hours, while a helicopter trip could take about one hour. Michigan State Police officer Matthew Unterbrink said such emergency transports are currently made by patrol car, with weather, winter snow and traffic slowing the trip.
During a flight, two flight nurse paramedics can provide emergency care while transporting the K-9 to a veterinary facility. Flight nurse paramedic Troy Jones said the team can treat the injuries and illnesses it typically sees, including trauma, burns, poisonings and heat-related injury or illness, and noted that K-9 emergencies do not happen often, but having the service in place is important.
To request a flight, the K-9 handler calls the dispatch in their region. The dispatch center then calls North Flight Aero Med's flight communications team, which activates the emergency response system, with the collaboration intended to allow seamless coordination from the moment a flight is requested to arrival at the veterinary center.
