Our Story
About K9 Mask® | Because Your Dog Trusts You With Every Breath
If you have ever looked outside during wildfire season, seen smoke in the air, and wondered whether it was safe for your dog to breathe, you are not alone.
Dogs still need to go outside. They still need walks, bathroom breaks, exercise, and fresh air. But during wildfire smoke, dust storms, toxic ash, chemical exposure, and other air quality emergencies, the air around them may not be safe at all.
That is where the story of K9 Mask® begins.
The Problem Nobody Had Solved
K9 Mask® was created for dog owners who refuse to leave their best friend unprotected.
For years, people have used masks and air filters to reduce exposure to harmful particles in the air. But when dangerous air quality events became more common, one question stood out:
If people need protection from toxic air, why do dogs not have it too?
Dogs breathe the same air we do. In some cases, they may be even more vulnerable because they spend time closer to the ground, where particles, dust, and pollutants can concentrate. Yet for too long, loving dog owners had no real option designed specifically for their pets.
We believed that needed to change.
The Moment That Sparked the Brand
Founder Kirby Holmes started K9 Mask® because of a growing concern about air quality problems and the effect they can have on dogs.
As a child, Kirby traveled from Texas to Southern California to visit his grandparents in the summer. He remembers hearing stories about wildfires threatening homes, families, and pets. Those memories stayed with him, especially the thought of what could happen to the people and dogs caught in the path of dangerous smoke and flames.
Then in 2018, while watching a San Francisco Giants baseball game on television, he saw fans wearing air filter masks because wildfire smoke had spread into the stadium area. That moment led to a simple but powerful realization: people had protection, but dogs did not.
Dog owners could not just keep their pets inside forever. Dogs still needed care, movement, and daily routines. But during air quality emergencies, how could they be protected?
From Concern to Creation
When Kirby searched for a solution, he discovered there was no air filter mask designed specifically for dogs.
So instead of waiting for someone else to build it, he decided to help create it.
Kirby invited his cousin, Evan Daugherty, to join him in developing a new kind of product for pets. Together, they formed Good Air Team and began months of designing, testing, refining, and prototyping what would become the world’s first air filter mask for dogs.
In 2019, they launched a Kickstarter campaign to bring K9 Mask® to life and received the support needed to begin production.
Built by People Who Care About Protection and Design
K9 Mask® is a family business built in Texas by people who care deeply about practical solutions, thoughtful design, and the bond between humans and dogs.
Evan brought product design and user experience expertise to the development process. Kirby brought entrepreneurial leadership, mission-driven vision, and a passion for helping people protect the animals they love.
Together, they built K9 Mask® to solve a real problem for real dog owners.
What K9 Mask® Stands For
K9 Mask® exists to help dog owners protect their pets during poor air quality conditions.
Our mission is simple: help dogs breathe better in a world where air quality threats are becoming harder to ignore.
K9 Mask® is designed for use in conditions such as wildfire smoke, dust, ash, allergens, and other airborne irritants that may put a dog’s comfort and well-being at risk.
We believe loving your dog means preparing for the risks you can see and the ones you cannot.
This Is About More Than a Product
K9 Mask® is not just about gear. It is about peace of mind.
It is about the feeling of knowing you have taken an extra step to care for your dog when conditions are not normal.
It is about being the kind of owner who plans ahead, pays attention, and protects the companion who depends on you every day.
When the sky is hazy, the wind carries ash, or the air feels uncertain, your dog cannot make safety decisions alone. That is your role. And we are here to help you do it well.
Trusted by Dog Owners. Recognized Nationally.
The story of K9 Mask® has captured national attention, including an appearance on Shark Tank. But the most meaningful part of our story is not television.
It is the community of dog owners who want better answers, better preparation, and better protection for the pets they love like family.
Join the Mission
If you believe your dog deserves thoughtful protection during wildfire smoke and other air quality threats, you are in the right place.
K9 Mask® was created for people who take their dog’s health seriously and want a practical way to prepare for the unexpected.
Your dog trusts you with every breath. We want to help you protect that trust.
