'Honor Of A Lifetime': ISP K9 Cop Needs Life-Saving Surgery, His Handler Fights To Fund It

ILLINOIS — An Illinois State Police officer is in need of a life-saving surgery—and his handler needs the public's help to fund it.

On July 9, K9 Officer Bane—who has served in his role since 2018—suffered a sudden collapse and was rushed to his primary veterinarian. Bane was diagnosed with a rare neuromuscular condition caused by a softball-sized mass in his chest on his thymus gland.

That mass needs to come out, and his handler Carrie Arvidson says her counterpart is more than deserving of the care and expense it will take to make him whole. Got Your 6 Foundation has started a GoFundMe to raise the $15,000 needed for the surgery and recovery. The Got Your 6 Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit run by an Illinois State Police trooper, in support of officers and families within the agency.

Bane is credited with the seizure of over $71 million dollars worth of narcotics and illicit contraband, including 62 kilograms of cocaine, 210 kg of methamphetamine, 100 kg of fentanyl/heroin and 41 firearms.

"He played a crucial role in the apprehension of numerous drug traffickers, human traffickers, violent fugitives, and child predators," Arvidson said. "... The honor of a lifetime to handle such an incredible dog.

"Having a dog with such an incredible skillset, he’s done a lot to keep the people of Illinois very safe."

Bane lives with Arvidson and her family, and they were at home last week when he suddenly became unable to walk. He needed to be carried, she said—a loss of ability she knows was difficult for him to experience.

"He’s a working dog," she said, "a very proud working dog at that."

She rushed her partner and best friend, now 8 years old, to a veterinarian who discovered the mass through an X-ray. He urgently needs the surgery to remove the mass and extend his life, she said.

"With surgery to remove the mass, K9 Bane is expected to make a full recovery to enjoy his earned retirement years," the fundraiser reads. "... Without our help, the only alternative to protect K9 Bane’s quality of life is euthanasia."

The surgery is set to be performed by Dr. Mitch Robbins at Veterinary Specialty Center in Bannockburn.

"It's essentially open-heart surgery," Arvidson said, "and they are specialists on such, delicate and rare surgery."

The surgery needs to happen as soon as possible, she stressed.

"There's no internal bleeding, but he can’t walk," she said. "It's quality of life—his happiness and comfort, getting him all fixed up and on the road to recovery."

The foundation said all funds raised will go directly to the veterinary center for expenses.

"We do so many things, with the foundation, that honor death and finality," the fundraiser reads. "Today we honor LIFE and CONTINUITY of that most precious gift."

Arvidson said the generosity and compassion already shown to her partner has been moving.

"This week, seeing a huge mass in your best friend’s chest, is probably one of the darkest moments of your life," she said. "It’s like someone has turned the sunshine back on. The absolute generosity and kindness of strangers … it has just put my jaw on the floor. ... Crying happy tears with how amazing people are."

She's eager to get her partner fixed up and home for recovery, though that will come with its own challenges, she said.

"He’s going to be looking at a few months of some wellness and rehab," she said. "Sitting still and resting. He's not the best at that. It’s going to be a little bit of a challenge."