When a working dog retires, they are almost always adopted by their handler. Unfortunately, very few police or government agencies provide medical support once these dogs retire. The burden of care, routine checkups, unexpected illnesses, and serious medical emergencies, falls entirely on the handler and their family.
That’s where MARK-9 (Medical Assistance for Retired K-9s) steps in. Our mission is simple but vital: to provide financial assistance for the medical care of retired working dogs. These K-9s have given their strength, skill, and loyalty in service to our communities. In retirement, many face health challenges that come with age and the physical toll of years of service. Their handlers, already giving them a loving home, are often overwhelmed by skyrocketing veterinary costs.
By easing the financial burden of medical care, MARK-9 ensures that retired K-9s can enjoy the healthy, comfortable retirement they have earned and that their handlers never have to choose between financial hardship and the care their partners deserve.
We are a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation run by a team of volunteers. We have zero paid staff.
560 W. Ogden Ave, Suite C
Lisle, Illinois 60532
Phone: (630) 301-2320
info@mark-9.org
Alexis Newman, DVM, CVPP, EMT
President
Dr. Alexis Newman received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Iowa State University in 1998. Following veterinary school, she completed a Surgical and Emergency Internship at California Animal Hospital, in West Los Angeles. Dr. Newman has a special interest in police and working K-9s. She has worked with them for many years and understands the needs of the K-9, the handler, and police departments. Her passion of working with police dogs and their handlers, led to starting Partners and Paws Veterinary Services. Dr. Newman also works with sporting groups, rescue groups and ‘civilian’ dogs and cats. In addition to treating working dogs, Dr. Newman’s special interests include trauma, soft tissue surgery and pain management. She completed her certification from the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management and, becoming a Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner (CVPP) in Illinois. Dr. Newman has written also written a veterinary health column for the Police K-9 magazine since 2012, which is well known among K-9 handlers. She speaks regularly to local police and other K-9 groups as well as conducts first-aid classes for first responders.
Jim King
Treasurer
Jim started volunteering for MARK-9 in 2017. He is the owner of Wheaton Website Services, a global website design, development and hosting company. He serves as the IT Coordinator and/or consultant for five other dog focused non-profits across the US. Jim and his wife Nickey have been proud owners of rescued Golden Retrievers for more than 20 years. In his spare time, he enjoys woodworking and his grandson Mason.
Ryley Martin
Secretary
Officer Ryley Martin is a K-9 Handler for the Plainfield Police Department, with his partner, K-9 Hally. K-9 Hally is a German Shepherd who was born in the Netherlands in November of 2023. Ryley has worked for the Plainfield Police Department since 2019, and prior to that he worked for the Northern Illinois University Police Department for a year and a half. When Ryley is not at work, he enjoys being home with his wife, Staci, and their pet Chocolate Lab, Trigger.
Volunteers
Anjali Antani, CVT
Anjali Antani is a Certified Veterinary Technician who joined Dr. Newman at Partners and Paws Veterinary Services in 2017. She began volunteering for MARK-9 in 2018 at her first MARK-9 Casino Night, encouraged by her husband, who was an active K9 handler at the time. When K9 Leon retired, he became a recipient of MARK-9’s support. Anjali continues her involvement with MARK-9, focusing on social media.
Rosemary Barth
Rose has a passion for dogs and finds that being able to volunteer her time and support to Mark 9 is a very rewarding experience. She enjoys fundraising and working with other people who believe in this great organization. Her days are spent with her dog, Beatrice, and working with a golden retriever rescue.
Julie Fox
Julie worked as a financial controller for 25 years until her retirement in 2023. In 2024 she become certified in grant writing, and since then has assisted organizations with grant research, grant writing, and financial reporting. She enjoys working as a volunteer and as a paid consultant helping nonprofits further their missions.
A mother and a grandmother of two, Julie enjoys spending time with family, friends, and her cats, and also enjoys being out in nature through gardening, hiking, and birding.
Nickey King
I’ve been volunteering with MARK-9 for seven years, and it’s something I truly enjoy. I’m a proud wife, mom, and Grammie to my grandson Mason. I’m also a dog Mom to two Golden Retrievers and a big supporter of our police officers and first responders.
Throughout the year, I help collect donations for our silent auctions and pitch in with planning, setting up, and running our two big fundraisers. When I’m not working with MARK-9, I volunteer in Fourth Grade at two local elementary schools.
Being part of MARK-9 is such a rewarding experience. I love knowing that the work we do helps retired K-9s and the handlers who gave so much to serve their communities.
Jennifer Marchese
As a volunteer for MARK-9, I have found a way to combine my two passions, dogs and photography. I started out as a volunteer photographer for the many wonderful events sponsored by MARK-9. Over the years, I have become part of a fun and compassionate team of volunteers and really enjoy many other aspects of the organization as well. Working alongside Dr. Newman with her incredible devotion to these amazing K9’s and this worthy cause is extremely rewarding.
Melanie Mikulskis
I have been in veterinary medicine for over 30 years and working as Dr. Newman’s assistant since 2021. Working with Dr. Newman and the working K9’s has opened up to my eyes to the incredible job these dogs do for us to keep us safe. I believe in the cause of Mark-9 and the much needed medical care these K9’s need upon retirement. I and am thrilled to be able to volunteer for such an amazing cause.
Ed Vaughan III
Ed grew up in a home with working dogs, learning early on the discipline, loyalty, and trust they bring. He helped train dogs from a young age, which gave him a lifelong respect for their service. Ed later served more than eight years as a reserve deputy with a local sheriff’s department. For the past two decades, he has worked in healthcare, supporting a team dedicated to developing and marketing cancer treatments. Volunteering with MarK9 allows Ed to give back to the working dogs who have devoted their lives to protecting and serving.