LOST MOUNTAIN GROUP
Pairing Retired Military Working Dogs as Canine Companions with U.S. Veterans
Did you know that there is NO public funding for retired police and military working dogs?
Of the roughly 4,900 canines the United States utilized in Vietnam, approximately 2,700 were given to the South Vietnamese Army, with a staggering 1,600, euthanized. Today, military working dogs (MWDs) are no longer left in war zones like they were in Vietnam, however until 2000, it was legal and common practice to euthanize them at the end of their useful service. That mindset has changed dramatically, thanks to one military war dog named Robby, whose own fate changed the future for MWDs. Robby’s Law, signed in November 2000 by President Clinton, requires that all MWDs suitable for adoption be available for placement after their service, however, there is NO public funding for this process.
“For Lost Mountain Group, it’s all about the puppies— they were there when we needed them most and now it’s time for us to be there for them. Connecting these canine’s with Veterans is just an added win for all!”
— Andrew Keahon,
Founder & CEO,
Lost Mountain Group
ABOUT LOST MOUNTAIN GROUP-
Lost Mountain Group (LMG) was established in 2016, by retired DC Metro Police Department K-9 and Bomb Squad Commander Andrew Keahon (Andy). Throughout Andy’s 25+ year law enforcement career, he wanted to do more to help the K-9’s that he worked so closely with, and with the formation of Lost Mountain Group, his dream became a reality and his way of helping to pair retired military K-9 companions with US Veterans in the Mid-Atlantic Region.
In November 2016, LMG placed its first canine companion, a female lab retired police bomb dog named Gypsy, as a companion for a top-tier MWD Handler and combat veteran, who had been injured. Over time, the spouse would send updates and pictures of how Gypsy changed the quality of life of her husband during his recovery.
Oftentimes, Lost Mountain Group K-9 rescues will accompany us to work as we spend several months rehabilitating each canine from their previous "working dog" mentality and introducing them to what life outside of a kennel looks like. We socialize them in “real world” environments as he introduces them to civilians, other animals, children, social settings, and even something as basic as affection— it is a bed, treats, pool time, farm life, siblings, PLAYmates, etc. Once we are confident that the dog is fully rehabilitated, trained, and socialized, applications are reviewed, and a Veteran is selected for canine companionship! Each dog is fully vetted prior to being placed into their forever homes
Lost Mountain Group is of the only organizations in the Mid-Atlantic region rescuing retired MWD’s and placing them with Veterans—at no cost to the Veteran. Since our inception, Lost Mountain Group has paired over 34 canine companions with Veterans, and with each pairing, we save two lives; we rescue the dog, and the dog rescues the Veteran!
As of 2020, Lost Mountain Group is recognized as an independent nonprofit with locations in Virginia and Maryland. Additionally, Charitable Gifts to Lost Mountain Group are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law as we are recognized by the IRS as a public charity 501(c)3 organization (EIN 86-1308474).
Meet Our Team
Lost Mountain Group Founder Andy Keahon
with LMG Retired Military Working Dogs Tsara and Toby
ANDREW KEAHON, FOUNDER & CEO
Born and raised into a law enforcement family, Lost Mountain Group Founder Andrew Keahon (Andy) was destined to follow in his father’s footsteps to become a police officer. At the time, Senior Mr. Keahon was serving as the Assistant Chief of the Metro Police Department (MPD) in Washington, DC. After completing his undergraduate degree at Elon College, Andy also joined the DC Metro Police Department in 1991. After five (5) years on the force, Andy went on to become a K-9 handler within the MPD. With a continued passion for education, Andy completed his Master of Public Administration in 2000 at Troy University.
Throughout his years with the Department, Andy became well respected amongst other law enforcement officers across the country as he climbed the ranks within the MPD K-9 Division and Bomb Squad. He was even called to the Pentagon on September 11, 2001, for his knowledge and expertise.
Throughout his career with MPD, Andy became an FBI certified Bomb Tech and K-9 Trainer and had six (6) K-9 partners that he worked with directly in various capacities, and dozens of K-9’s that he trained over his MPD career. In 2009, Mr. Keahon was instrumental in adding 9 Marine Corp Military Working Dogs (MWD) K-9 war heroes from Afghanistan to the MPD K-9 Division.
During his career, Andy served as both the Bomb Squad and K-9 Unit Commanders simultaneously. Additionally, he quadrupled the size of the K-9 Unit and it quickly became the second-largest K-9 detection unit in the Country responding to between 5,000 and 7,000 calls annually, second only to New York City Police Department.
Throughout his law enforcement career, Andy had been working with K-9 war heroes across the country and expanded further when he accepted a position with a DOD contractor training K-9’s for military and paramilitary personnel all over the world.
In February 2018, Andy retired from the MPD with the rank of Sergeant, after a career spanning over twenty-five (25) years and overseeing the K-9 and Bomb Squad for eight (8) years.
Since his retirement from MPD, Andy has continued following his passion for working with MWD K-9’s and has served as the Program Manager for a top-tier Military K-9 organization specializing in HME (homemade explosives) for pre-deployment training for military K-9 units all over the United States. Additionally, he teaches first responder bomb tech for IED defeat and RSP (Render Safe Procedures) for a government contractor and teaches for the Department of Defense (DOD) and Department of Energy (DOE) IED Defeat classes. He travels frequently to military bases and government agency offices to do onsite training.
Andy resides on a 25-acre horse farm in Delaplane, Virginia with his wife Dorry, two daughters, and numerous K-9 companions — some that were foster fails.
KATI TOWNSLEY, PARTNER- MARYLAND / DIRECTOR OF MARKETING, DEVELOPMENT & STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS
Kati Townsley is a native of Carroll County, Maryland, who attended Frostburg State University (undergraduate) and McDaniel College, and the University of Maryland (graduate studies). She spent her previous professional life focused in the legal field before making her philanthropic passions a career choice in both the public and private sectors of Carroll County, MD in 2013. Currently, Kati serves as the Development and Community Engagement Manager of the Carroll County Public Libary System.
Kati is a true connector of people, ideas, and things- is a well-organized, passionate, enthusiastic, and results-oriented professional leader and an active community philanthropist for over 20 years. She was just what Lost Mountain Group needed to get our nonprofit operation “off the ground.”
In November 2020, she started working with Lost Mountain Group, specifically to establish the organization as a 501c3 charitable nonprofit. Since then her roles have developed and she has become an intricate part of our team. Kati is our Maryland Partner, handles communications, and marketing, and identifies and develops development and strategic collaborative opportunities for LMG throughout the Metro region, establishing us as a well-respected Veteran Service Organization.
Kati resides in Westminster (Carroll County), Maryland where she is a staple in the Community and an active community volunteer. Most notably, she is a twenty-two-plus-year member of the Reese & Community Volunteer Fire Company and serves as a Communications Officer of Bikers for Cause Foundation, Maryland Chapter 6. Additionally, she is a member of the Carroll County Veterans Advisory Council, and member of the Business Advisory Council Board for Goodwill Industries of Monocacy Valley, which has a partnership with Platoon 22.
Three of Lost Mountain Group’s canines reside with Kati and her family and can be seen out and about in the Community on a regular basis.
Kati Townsley
Lost Mountain Group‘s Partner- Maryland/ Director of Marketing, Development & Strategic Partnerships with LMG’s Retired Military Working Dog Rey and German Shepherd Puppies Maverick and Phoenix
Help Us, Help Them…
By Making a Donation Today
For Lost Mountain Group, it’s all about the puppies, and socializing them so they are ready to be paired with their forever veteran— which can be expensive. Your generosity will go right to work to help pair a retired MWD canine companion with a veteran who may be combat wounded, diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, or just needs a battle buddy to help them get through their day!
Thank you for helping to save two lives with your generosity!
VENMO: @Lost_Mountain_Group
A Career Shared with K-9 Companions
Momo
MPD K-9
Training Day
That's not your kennel buddy!
Cold Day for K-9 training!
Repelling with the Marine Corps
DC Metro Police Department K-9 Squad 2017
Training Day, these Marines had to carry their dogs all day!
And then they sleep
Koda
K-9 Ace sitting pool side
Just another day at the office for a Bomb Tech
Ozzy LOVES in the being in the water!
DC Metro PD Bomb Squad Mobile Unit
MPD Bomb Tech Small Robot
