The Glendale Police Department is receiving help from Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in the form of a K-9 grant.

The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation at The Giving Back Fund will be distributing a grant to the Glendale agency before the Steelers’ game against the Cardinals, earlier this month.

“We’re very fortunate to be in the position that we are able to help these K-9 units,” Mr. Roethlisberger stated. “The work that is performed by the dogs and their handlers as well as the bond that is formed is incredible. We’re just thrilled to do our small part.”

Glendale police will use the grant funds to replace one of several recently and soon-to-be retired police dogs, a release states.

During the 2019 NFL season, Mr. Roethlisberger’s foundation is distributing grants to K-9 units of police and fire departments in the cities and surrounding communities of each regular season away game for the Steelers. The Foundation will also distribute several grants to the Pittsburgh area.

The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation invited police and fire departments across the country to submit proposals detailing their needs.

This marks the 13th season that the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation has distributed grants to K-9 units. His mission is to support K-9 units of police and fire departments throughout the U.S., with a particular emphasis on support for working dogs in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

His foundation distributed more than $145,000 in grants to K-9 units around the country during the 2018 NFL season, including $70,000 in Pittsburgh and surrounding areas. They have distributed over $2.1 million since 2007, $1.7 million of which has specifically benefited K-9 programs domestically.

“With the premature retirement of a K-9 last year due to a line-of-duty injury, and the regular retirement of two K-9s this year, this much needed funding will help us to offset the costs to our K-9 Unit and will help the Police Department to continue to ensure the safety of our community,” stated Glendale Police Chief Chris Briggs. “We would also like to recognize and thank the Citizen’s Police Academy Alumni of Glendale for their partnership and without whose help this endeavor would not be possible.”