About
"At the end of the day, these teams are already out there, answering the call without hesitation. Our mission is simple: make sure they never have to do it without the tools they need."
In 2025, the Treasure Coast Police K9 Competition was created to raise funds and give back directly to K-9 units in need. At the heart of this effort is a deep commitment to helping as many law enforcement and first responder K-9 teams as possible—because every team deserves to be protected, prepared, and supported.
This mission goes far beyond bulletproof vests. K-9 teams work in darkness where visibility can mean survival. They enter unpredictable, high-risk environments that demand advanced, specialized and tactical training. Their K-9 partners train relentlessly, yet the cost of sending multiple teams to high-level courses can reach thousands of dollars—often beyond what agencies can afford.
Why It Matters
We bridge the gap between department budgets and the specialized gear—like Hot-N-Pop systems and night vision—that saves lives in the field.
Leadership
Guided by real-world experience and a heart for service.
Mindy Mangel
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Mindy is a U.S. Air Force veteran with 20 years of law enforcement experience. She began her K9 career in Colorado, where she raised $15,000 to acquire and deploy her first patrol K9.
In 2019, Mindy joined the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office and was selected as a K9 handler in 2021. Through real-world deployments, she recognized a significant lack of critical equipment available to many K9 units—such as night vision and other specialized tools needed when it matters most. With her extensive experience in the K9 field, Mindy is uniquely positioned to bridge that gap and help support agencies and units in need of essential equipment and resources.
EST. 2025 • VETERAN LED
Missy Elward
President
Missy Elward is the President of the Treasure Coast Police K-9 Alliance and the driving force behind the mission. With deep roots in the community and a passion for service, she has built a reputation for bringing people together to support meaningful causes-especially those that directly impact first responders and their K-9 partners.
Her background includes years of hands-on leadership and successful fundraising initiatives, most notably with St. Baldrick’s Foundation. Through this work, Missy became known for her ability to mobilize community support, create impactful events and deliver real results for the causes she champions.
Today, she leads the Alliance with a clear purpose: to ensure law enforcement and first responder K-9 teams have access to the equipment, training and resources they need to stay safe, effective and mission-ready.
Missy's commitment to this mission is deeply personal. Her husband, Dan, is a retired firefighter who now serves as a chaplain for the Palm Bay Fire Department providing support and resources to their staff and the community when the need arises. This includes the use of their newly formed K-9 therapy team as part of a growing focus on mental health and wellness-reinforcing their shared belief in the critical role K9's play not only in public safety operations but also in emotional support and recovery.
Under Missy's leadership, the Treasure Coast Police K-9 Alliance continues to grow, making a lasting impact on K-9 teams, first responders and the communities they protect.
COMMUNITY FOCUSED • TRUSTED NETWORK