Robert W. Connolly was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, the youngest of six children in an Irish Catholic Family. He grew up in New Jersey surrounded by close family, great friends, and a rescued- very large- very lovable- pure breed German Shepherd Dog named "Satan" (no, of course we didn't name him). Robert left New Jersey and enlisted in the United States Navy during the Gulf War. Robert graduated at the top of his recruit class and was selected for Navy Hospital Corps School Training, Great Lakes, Michigan, in 1993. Immediately upon graduation he was selected for Fleet Marine Service School at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Upon graduation he was assigned as a Field Medic (8404) with the United States Marine Corps. Robert remained with the Marines and finished his tour of duty as a Third Class Petty Officer and Scout Swimmer assigned to the 3rd Assault Amphibious Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, California.

Upon completion of his military service, Robert had earned an Associate's Degree with honors in Liberal Arts/Social Sciences from Middlesex County College, NJ, and his Bachelor's Degree in Business Management through the University of Phoenix, Az. Following his completion of obligated service, he moved to Maryland and began a career in Law Enforcement.

Upon graduating 1st in his police academy class in 1998, Robert served the citizens of Dorchester, Talbot, and Caroline Counties.  In 2003, Robert was selected for the K9 Unit and assigned to handle K9 partner Zim. Initially, a unique but somewhat comical "father-son/love-hate" relationship, grew into what is now an irreplaceable kinship. Despite the early growing pains... K9 Zim and his Dad are now inseparable.

In 2005, Robert earned promotion to the rank of Corporal and was transferred to serve the citizens of Kent and Queen Anne's Counties. Fortunately, Cpl. Connolly and K9 Zim remained on Road Patrol as a dual purpose, Drug Detection and Patrol Dog Team. In 2006 Cpl. Connolly and K9 Zim were awarded the agency "Patrol Dog and Dual Purpose Arrest Team of the Year."

In June of 2007, K9 Zim was diagnosed with multiple unrelated medical complications which would limit his police service.  (At the age of 5 and 1/2 K9 Zim is in the prime of his life).  Zim was diagnosed with the beginning stages of kidney failure, an injury to his spine, and the early onset of fibrotic mylopathy (a rare nerve disorder predominantly affecting the German Shepherd Breed).  Unfortunately, two separate medical evaluations, repeated radiological examinations, and an MRI have revealed K9 Zim's conditions can not be corrected by surgery.

There is however one good thing that has come of K9 Zim's and Cpl. Connolly's situation. During the initial stages of examination (when it was thought to be a recent traumatic spinal injury), it was indicated that K9 Zim might have been a candidate for surgical procedures which would result in complete correction and return to full serviceability. The total cost of the medical treatment could possibly exceed $6000.

Although this particular K9 team is fortunate enough to work for a large scale police department that could and most likely would shoulder the financial burden of such procedures, an unsettling realization was made. NOT ALL DEPARTMENTS are as willing and/or as equipped to deal with these types of situations. It was revealed (through contact with various police departments and K9 units) that often the financial burden is too great to justify the care of one dog. Many agencies, being able to spend less money and shoulder a reduced risk, simply retire the dog and replace the dog with a new one.

Upon retirement, the injured police dog is either donated (most often to the handler) or put down. The next owner of the injured police dog would be solely responsible for the costly surgery and extensive medical care.

Through the assistance of the Calvert Animal Welfare League, the situation was researched and it was learned that no current funding was available to an injured police dog. Despite many worthwhile causes for the rescue or treatment of mistreated and abandoned dogs... no fund or organization provided financial assistance for an injured police dog.
 
Until now.

Through a partnership with the Calvert Animal Welfare League, a NON PROFIT animal rescue, a fund has been created as an avenue of financial assistance to all qualified injured police dogs. This, the "ZimMiki- Injured Police Dog Fund" is intended as a means of monetary assistance for the medical support of any police dog injured in the line of duty. Regardless of what state, county, or municipal agency the K9 team is employed through or what community they protect and serve, it is imperative that there be an avenue of assistance available to these four legged public servants.

The general public is often unaware that our K-9 partners come home with us at the end of our shift. At our homes, during our off hours, the K9s become fun and friendly to us and the welcome guests at our houses. They have a purpose and yes they can be considered "work tools" in some respects, but they still become family.

Hopefully, the creation of this website and this fund will dispell some of the common misconceptions regarding police service dogs. Although many rescues and non profit organizations support the abandoned pet in need, the police service dog may at times need some consideration as well. Unknown to many people outside of the K9 community and their immediate family and friends, our K9 partners become parts of our family. Yes, patrol dogs are in fact very "business oriented" creatures... and yes, for the "bad guy" out there doing "bad things", the police K9 can be an animal to be feared. But, as the handlers, their co-workers, their families, and friends know- there is another side. To the K9 handler, the police dog is a reliable partner at work, and a trusting/loving companion at home.