This week I’d like to highlight superwoman Kay Tea. Kay exudes confidence, strength and beauty, and has the most generous heart of gold. Kay served as a Chicago police officer for over 10 years and tirelessly protected our city, serving in the Targeted Response Unit and Fugitive Apprehension Team. She was honored for acts of valor at the Chicago Police Department’s (CPD) 50th annual police recognition ceremony and traveled to Washington D.C. to accept the National Top Cop Award. Impressed yet?!! When not working for the CPD, Kay volunteers as the president and training director for Search and Rescue Dogs of Illinois. And forget about Cesar Millan, Kay is the true “dog whisper.”
Kay’s passion in life is training and rehabilitating dogs. But over the years no doggy has touched her heart as much as her German Shepherd Cooper. Cooper was originally meant to be a family pet, but Kay fell absolutely in love with Cooper and trained him as her top search and rescue pup. Cooper is a human remains detection K-9, and as a team, Kay and Cooper devote their time to nationally assisting police departments on a variety of criminal cases, bringing closure and justice to families.
Kay praises Cooper as the sharpest dog she has ever worked with, while still embodying a playful soul. You are sure to get splashed if you encounter a pool of water!! Cooper brings joy to not only Kay’s daily life, but serves as an extraordinary partner in the field. As Kay says, “Cooper is HER DOG!”
Now Kay is embarking on a new chapter in her life, moving her brood down to the Lone Star State. And not only will Kay be serving in a local TX police department, along with her fiancé, she is developing a ranch into a canine training facility. It will be the home base for Kay’s charity: Service Dogs USA. Through her passion project, Kay will rescue dogs and train them as service dogs for veterans and first responders. Kay believes in the dog’s power to heal because not only will these dogs assist our nation’s heroes in their daily physical tasks, but will provide companionship and much needed emotional support for PTSD. In addition, Kay will rescue dogs to serve as loyal, disciplined family pets. And as my Gatsby can attest, the second Kay walked into the room he was schooled!! 😉 Kay is truly the definition of a Rockstar Doggy Momma and it is a true privilege to honor such an American hero.
Friends: I know many of you too are Rockstar Doggy Mommas with inspiring stories. Please private message me through Facebook or at rockstardoggymomma@gmail.com if you’d be interested in sharing your story. Or if you have a friend you’d like to nominate. ;).