Chief Hutch

A warriors story, and a well earned retirement.

Born in the Netherlands and trained out of Virginia Beach, Chief Hutch spent five years serving alongside special operations forces. He wasn’t just a dog—he was an operator, trained for the kind of work most will never see and fewer still can understand.

He deployed twice to Somalia, spending a full year in theater. In that time, Hutch located and helped remove over 125 pounds of explosives from the battlefield. He conducted 178 vehicle and personnel searches and was relied on for presence patrols to deter enemy movements. After a helicopter crash, it was Hutch who discovered 18 unexploded rockets, giving his team the chance to clear and secure the area. For his actions, he was awarded a Navy Achievement Medal.

On mission, he was focused.

Off mission, he had personality.

Like many great working dogs, Hutch understood the difference between work and rest. He had that switch—when it was time to work, he locked in. But off-duty, he was known to test the boundaries. If the pinch collar or e-collar wasn’t on, he’d play keep-away, knowing full well no corrections were coming.

He had his own way of communicating readiness: placing a paw on his handler’s foot. It didn’t matter if it was a training exercise or the real thing. That small signal meant I’m ready. No words. Just instinct.

These days, his mission looks different.

But it still matters.

Hutch is retired now. Living the kind of life every working dog deserves—but not all get. His transition to civilian life was smooth, which isn’t always the case. Some dogs carry the tension of service with them for years. Not Hutch.

He’s gentle around children. Patient with chaos. Watchful, without being anxious. When the house is quiet, he posts up near the window like he’s still on overwatch.

He's the kind of dog that doesn't just retire. He adapts. Shifts. Keeps serving—just in a different way.

He still chews on the wrong toys sometimes.

But he's earned it.

☕ This roast honors Chief Hutch.

Half the profits from every bag go toward supporting his retirement.

Not every warrior wears a uniform. Some walk on four legs, sleep at the door, and carry the weight without saying a word.

This is more than coffee. It’s a small way to say thank you to one of the best to ever do it.

Paws of Honor is a nonprofit that provides veterinary care and support to retired military and law enforcement K9s—at no cost to the handlers. These dogs spent their lives protecting ours, often serving multiple combat deployments or high-threat law enforcement operations, only to retire with no benefits.

Paws of Honor steps in where the system doesn’t. They make sure dogs like Hutch get the care they’ve earned—because after a life of service, they shouldn’t have to fight for their health.

Your support helps fund that mission. And in this case, half the profits from this roast go directly to Chief Hutch’s continued care.