A Guarded Dog And A Guarded Cop Learn Trust

Send us Fan Mail A dog that “can’t bond with anyone” sits in a kennel, passed over by handler after handler, until one leader recognizes something painfully familiar in those guarded eyes. We’re joined by Chris Bingham, a veteran law enforcement officer and longtime K9 handler, to talk about the kind of first responder mental health story that doesn’t get enough airtime: abandonment, mentorship, grief, and the deep need to belong. Chris takes us back to growing up without a consistent father figure, how that absence can harden trust, and why animals can feel safer than people when you’re carrying old wounds. From there, we follow the moments that shaped his career in policing and canine units, including the mentors who built his confidence through tough love and high standards. We also sit with the losses that change you, including losing K9 partners to cancer and the sudden death of a mentor who filled a father role. Then we meet Tambo, Chris’s retired canine partner, currently going through chemotherapy. We unpack what real K9 partnership looks like beyond the highlight reel: routine, repetition, consistency, and the skill of reading change of behavior in detection work. Chris also shares a powerful truth for every first responder: your emotional state travels down the lead, and learning to regulate yourself is part of protecting your partner and doing the job well. (Update: Unfortunately, Tambo passed away in September 2026, prior to the release of this podcast episode) Visit their Instagram: @k9_tambo   Go vote for Tambo in memoriam at American Humane Hero Dog Award at  https://www.americanhumane.org/hero-dog/tambo/ You can buy Chris' book at this address: https://www.amazon.com/Defying-Odds-K9-Tambo-Story-ebook/dp/B0HDM7NZKL?ref_=ast_author_mpb If you care about police wellness, K9 teams, leadership, and resilience after loss, this conversation will stick with you. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a review so more first responders can find the show. Support the show YouTube Channel For The Podcast