Boy Scout Collects Dog Toys For McLean's Paws Of Honor

MOUNT VERNON, VA — A Fairfax County Boy Scout wanted to earn his Citizenship In The Community merit badge by lending a helping paw. For his project, 11-year-old Jackson Hayken chose to help McLean-based Paws of Honor, which helps retired police and military dogs.

Hayken spent a month collecting toys for dogs in Paws of Honor's veterinary care program. Thanks to community donations, the end result was a collection of dog toys, dog food and other gifts.

Hayken and his mother, a teacher, plan to present the donations to Paws of Honor on Wednesday. According to a news release from Paws of Honor, items will be distributed to retired police and military working dogs across the U.S.

Paws of Honor was founded in response to 9/11 and provides free veterinary and medical careto the retired police and military working dogs who lose benefits upon retirement. The program has enrolled over 210 K9s from 16 states and will be expanding into other states this year.

For more information, visit www.pawsofhonor.org.