Heat Kills K9s: A Preventable Line-of-Duty Death

Operational K9s routinely work in high-intensity environments that place them at significant risk for heat-related injury. Unlike humans, dogs have limited mechanisms for dissipating heat and can rapidly develop dangerous elevations in.

Tuesday
,
Aug 25, 2026
4:00 pm
-
6:00 pm
Instructor(s):
Kathryn McConnell
View full class scheduleRegister for HITS 2026
Kathryn McConnell presenting Heat Kills K9s: A Preventable Line-of-Duty Death at HITS.
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Class overview

Operational K9s routinely work in high-intensity environments that place them at significant risk for heat-related injury. Unlike humans, dogs have limited mechanisms for dissipating heat and can rapidly develop dangerous elevations in core body temperature during training, deployments, or prolonged searches- especially in hot or humid conditions. Heat injury remains the leading cause of line-of-duty death in working dogs.

This presentation will review the physiology of thermoregulation in K9s, common operational risk factors, and the early recognition of heat stress before it progresses to life-threatening heat stroke. Attendees will learn evidence-based prevention strategies, field monitoring techniques, and rapid cooling interventions that can be implemented during operations. Emphasis will be placed on practical protocols handlers, trainers, and tactical teams can use to protect working dogs while maintaining operational readiness.

The goal of this session is to equip agencies with the knowledge and tools necessary to reduce preventable heat injuries and improve the safety, performance, and longevity of operational K9s

This session explains:

  • Operational K9s routinely work in high-intensity environments that place them at significant risk for heat-related injury.
  • Unlike humans, dogs have limited mechanisms for dissipating heat and can rapidly develop dangerous elevations in core body temperature during
  • Heat injury remains the leading cause of line-of-duty death in working dogs.
  • evidence-based prevention strategies, field monitoring techniques, and rapid cooling interventions that can be implemented during operations.
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About the instructor

Kathryn McConnell

Kathryn McConnell is a founding member and president of the Nevada Operational Canine Medical Group and a veterinarian specializing in emergency and critical care for working K9 teams.

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What past attendees say

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Go to HITS. It's a great class. Great conference. This is the third one that I've been to. I try and go every time. They change up the classes. It's offered for detection and apprehension or patrol canines. All the classes are great. You should definitely check it out. I'm going to try and come back next year.

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Greg Edlund
Broward Sheriff Office

Hi, this is Brian Laas. I'm from Arvada, Colorado. This is about my second or third time with HITS, and I've enjoyed it greatly. I like the vast amount of instructors' backgrounds, so even though I've come once or twice before, I'm always gaining a lot of knowledge. This is a great seminar for both the new and the old handlers. I think you can't go wrong coming here. It's a good time and well-spent money for your department.

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Brian Laas
Arvada Police Department

Hi, my name is Neil with U.S. Park Police. This is the first time I ever attend HITS and it's great training. A lot of different courses that definitely benefit my career. I've been a handler for 14 years now. I'm still learning and I recommend people to come down here and learn something.

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Neil
US Park Police

Been to hits a couple times, keeps getting better every time. This year it's been amazing, a lot of people, a lot of great classes, great camaraderie between all the agencies here. It's a good time, I highly recommend it.

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Unknown Attendee

Hi, Mark with BCBK9 here at HITS 2017, lets you know what a success it was. Tons of handlers, tons of great classes. We're really glad that we drove all the way out from Missouri and we're looking forward to 2018 being in DC and we hope to see you all there.

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Mark
BCB K9

Yeah, this is my first time it hits. It was a great time. Actually, I've been to a lot of conferences before. This is definitely the best.

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Attendee
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Secure your seat at HITS 2026

Legal defensibility is not theoretical. It is tested in court.

This class helps handlers and agencies prepare before that moment arrives.

Register for HITS 2026
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Explore other HITS classes

The Drug Canine Legal Update is one part of a broader HITS program designed to strengthen deployment judgment, detection reliability, and operational decision-making in the field. Additional sessions expand that learning across tracking, behavior, detection science, and tactical leadership.

View full class schedule
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