Transitioning out of the military is rarely a clean break. For many veterans, it’s a long process of redefining purpose, identity, and impact. In this episode of The North Idaho Experience, hosts Eric and Seth sit down with Jessica Harris, a retired Army National Guard combat medic who turned a life of service into a mission-driven business honoring fallen working dogs through her company K9 Salute.

What unfolds is a powerful story of service, resilience, and entrepreneurship—rooted in military experience, shaped by loss, and reignited by the community and culture of North Idaho.

Twenty Years in Uniform: A Career Built on Service

Jessica served 20 years in the Washington Army National Guard, beginning in 1995 and retiring in 2015. While she started as a traditional “weekend warrior,” the latter part of her career was spent largely on active duty, including nearly a decade supporting counter-drug operations across the state.

As a combat medic, her role went far beyond basic medical care. She worked directly with law enforcement agencies, supported high-risk counter-drug missions, and helped clean up cartel-operated marijuana grow sites hidden deep in remote terrain. These operations revealed not just the scale of illegal activity, but also its environmental damage—from chemical contamination to wildlife destruction.

Her experience eventually led her into training roles, where she helped develop tactical medical courses for law enforcement and Border Patrol units—teaching lifesaving trauma care to officers who often had little to no medical training, despite operating in high-risk environments.

Deployment to Iraq: Leadership Under Pressure

In 2008–2009, Jessica deployed to Iraq as the senior medic for a cavalry unit, a role that demanded both clinical expertise and leadership under extreme conditions. As a female soldier in a male-dominated unit, competence mattered more than anything else—and she earned respect the same way most combat leaders do: by doing the job well.

Her perspective on deployment is refreshingly grounded. Rather than focusing solely on chaos or hardship, she speaks candidly about camaraderie, responsibility, and the reality that soldiers—regardless of gender—are expected to perform when it matters most.

That mindset would later prove invaluable in civilian life.

The Hardest Transition: Life After the Military

Like many veterans, Jessica initially believed that a high-level civilian career was the natural next step. After leaving the military, she accepted an executive position in healthcare administration—only to realize within months that it wasn’t the life she wanted.

The structure, mission, and sense of shared purpose she’d known for two decades were suddenly gone. While she briefly considered staying in the Guard longer, she ultimately knew she needed a clean break—and a new mission of her own.

That turning point coincided with her exposure to veteran entrepreneurship programs, including an early idea for an indoor dog park and beer garden. But the real spark came in early 2016.

The Moment That Changed Everything

In January 2016 alone, nine police K9s were killed in the line of duty. By the end of the year, that number climbed to more than 30. Jessica, a lifelong dog lover with deep respect for working canines, was struck by how little awareness surrounded these losses—and how limited the support often was for handlers and departments.

While flipping through a dog magazine one night, she noticed something else: most pet treats were filled with low-quality ingredients she wouldn’t feed her own dog.

That’s when the idea clicked.

What if she created all-natural, single-ingredient dog treats, and used them as a platform to honor fallen K9s and support organizations that protect working dogs?

That night, K9 Salute was born.

What Makes K9 Salute Different

K9 Salute isn’t just another pet brand with a patriotic logo. Every bag of treats includes a tribute to a specific K9 killed in the line of duty, with photos and stories provided directly by the handler. Ten percent of proceeds are donated to organizations that fund:

• Ballistic vests for working dogs
• Medical equipment and emergency care
• Support for retired K9s

The treats themselves are intentionally simple: single-ingredient, freeze-dried proteins like bison liver or lamb lung—no fillers, no additives, no marketing fluff.

Jessica also developed a pure beef tallow balm for paws and noses, specifically avoiding essential oils that are often toxic to dogs. It’s a product born from real-world use, not branding trends.

Support working dogs with K9 Salute treats

Why Working Dogs Need More Protection

One of the most eye-opening parts of the conversation centers on how K9 units are funded. While departments may spend $20,000–$25,000 to acquire a trained dog, protective equipment like ballistic vests is often not covered by departmental budgets.

Instead, handlers rely on donations, fundraisers, or nonprofits. Even more surprising to many listeners: legally, a K9 is still considered property—not an officer—when it comes to use-of-force standards.

That reality makes advocacy and awareness even more important.

Veteran Entrepreneurship and Warrior Rising

Building a business isn’t easy—especially alone. Jessica credits much of K9 Salute’s growth to veteran-focused organizations, particularly Warrior Rising, a national nonprofit that helps veterans and military spouses launch and scale businesses.

Through Warrior Rising, she completed an accelerator program, pitched her company in Washington, D.C., and competed for grants—earning funding, mentorship, and access to retail opportunities like pitching to Scheels buyers.

The difference, she explains, is community. Veteran entrepreneurs don’t just need capital—they need networks, accountability, and people who understand the transition.

Why North Idaho Reignited the Mission

After years in Washington and Oregon, Jessica relocated to North Idaho—and immediately felt the difference.

She describes crossing the state line as a physical shift in atmosphere. Beyond politics or policy, it was the entrepreneurial culture, veteran community, and genuine support for small businesses that stood out.

Local coffee shops, veteran meetups, and grassroots networking made it clear: this was a place where mission-driven businesses could thrive.

Explore life and business in North Idaho.

A Mission That Goes Beyond Business

At its core, K9 Salute isn’t about scaling fast or chasing trends. It’s about honoring sacrifice, protecting those who can’t protect themselves, and giving purpose to the next chapter of life after service.

Jessica’s story is a reminder that veterans don’t lose their skills when they leave the military—they translate them. Leadership, discipline, adaptability, and problem-solving don’t disappear. They just need the right outlet.

And sometimes, that outlet looks like a bag of dog treats with a story that matters.