Baloo is a Belgian Malinois who was tragically injured whilst deployed with Essex Police in 2018
Her injuries were severe and she lost a leg and had extensive metalwork in her pelvis.
Unable to return to her previous career Baloo was adopted by a retired Metropolitan Police Dog Handler and began her new role of spreading smiles and showing that you can overcome adversity with the right support.
The Team Baloo Fund was set up in 2020 to support the work that Baloo now does, visiting schools, community projects, and organisations with Mandy by her side to share her story and offer hope and comfort to others.
Baloo is a Belgian Malinois who was tragically injured whilst deployed with Essex Police in 2018
Her injuries were severe and she lost a leg and had extensive metalwork in her pelvis.
Unable to return to her previous career Baloo was adopted by a retired Metropolitan Police Dog Handler and began her new role of spreading smiles and showing that you can overcome adversity with the right support.
The Team Baloo Fund was set up in 2020 to support the work that Baloo now does, visiting schools, community projects, and organisations with Mandy by her side to share her story and offer hope and comfort to others.
Our Work
We visit Schools and other groups to demonstrate that you can suffer serious trauma and thrive with good support.
By telling Baloo’s story it improves the understanding of visible and non-visible disabilities.
She is such an affectionate dog but a large powerful breed.
Everyone we meet enjoys the interaction and is inspired by her.
About Baloo
Baloo is a Belgian Malinois who was born in September 2016 in Amsterdam.
In 2018 she completed her training to be a General Purpose Police Dog with Essex Police with her handler Ross.
Baloo had some great results operationally and due to her fast pace and power proved a hit in their police dog demonstrations.
In October 2018 tragedy struck when she was hit by a suspects car fleeing a crime scene. Her handler rushed her to the vets for immediate care and she was then transferred to a specialist veterinary practice in Cambridge.
Her extensive injuries required metal plates attached to her pelvis and the loss of her front right leg. Throughout Baloo was a model patient and surprised everyone with her recovery.
Unable to return to her previous career Baloo was adopted by a retired Metropolitan Police Dog Handler and began her new role of spreading smiles and showing that you can overcome adversity with the right support.
She encourages conversations around mental health, PTSD supporting each other and she enjoys the atttention and cuddles.
Her visits have proven to be hugely popular and she spreads smiles wherever she goes.
She is the Essex Police wellbeing dog and Volunteer Police Cadet Mascot.
