Ep 42: The Bond Between Handler and Dog, Chris and Tambo

K-9s don’t get a pension. They don’t get a retirement plan. They get us—or they get forgotten. In this episode of Beyond the Barrel, we sit down with Chris Bingham—a law enforcement leader with over 20 years of service and a lifelong commitment to police K-9s. A graduate of Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command, Chris has built and led K-9 programs nationwide—but his most powerful story is the bond with his retired partner, K-9 Tambo. Chris opens up about loyalty beyond the uniform, the responsibility handlers carry after retirement, and why advocating for working dogs through organizations like Project K9 Hero matters more than ever. This conversation goes beyond training and tactics—into leadership, sacrifice, fitness, fatherhood, and honoring those who served without a voice. Off duty. Off script. Beyond the Barrel. Project K-9 Hero 00:00 — K9 Resilience 01:30 — Career Transition 04:50 — Growing Up 07:40 — Fatherhood Impact 11:00 — Communication Matters 15:00 — Finding Direction 21:00 — Entering K9 28:20 — Mentorship Loss 36:40 — Handler Bond 47:05 — Tambo’s Story If you like what you hear, like, subscribe and follow the Beyond the Barrel podcast on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/beyond_the_barrel_pod/⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices