This was a wonderful book. I not only was inspired by the author's message, but I also learned a lot about how police dogs work! A two-fer!

The love and respect this officer has for his best friend shines out from every page of this book. Those of us who have had the privilege of knowing and loving a shepherd will be drawn in from the start. They go beyond the words best friend. They are more like soul dogs. It is always an honor to know them and be loved by them. 

This book is extremely interesting and I love that it takes you through all the steps of becoming a handler and about learning to trust your dog more than your own mind especially when the dog knows more than you do.  

The insight into the author becoming a K9 instructor is just as captivating. I loved the information on how he selected his ultimate partner. It really shows how impressive these dogs are and the effort that goes into this job. 

Mattis is just amazing. Sergeant Mark Tappan honors that and does him justice in this book. I found the story about learning scent really interesting. There are a lot of techniques in here that can be amended for a family dog too like the scent "game". It is amazing how much better a dog can be trained by simply giving it love and respect. Many trainers have said that they don't even need to train their dog formally because these two elements are enough for the dog to want to do what the trainer wants. Mattis is a perfect example of this as well as the beauty of that one dog that naturally just "gets it" more than the others. It is an intuition gift that is mesmerizing to watch.  

The bond that develops between these two is beautiful. An incredibly enjoyable read by an author filled with affection for his partner. I truly loved this book.

I could not read fast enough to find out what happened! We are taken through the dangerous days of a police officer and his partner, another officer who happens to have four legs and a miraculous sense of smell. It is edge of the seat reading, even more so when one of these officers is hurt in the line of duty. Thank you to these two officers for protecting and putting their lives on the line everyday. I thank NetGalley and Nelson Books for this amazing read.

As an avid follower of heartwarming dog stories and K9 heroes, I was thrilled to dive into "A Dog Named Mattis: 12 Lessons for Living Courageously, Serving Selflessly, and Building Bridges from a Heroic K9 Officer" by Mark Tappan. And let me tell you, this book did not disappoint.

From the moment I started reading, I was captivated by the incredible bond between Sergeant Mark Tappan and his K9 partner, Mattis. Their partnership is nothing short of inspiring, and it's clear from the very beginning that Mattis is no ordinary dog. As Mark shares the twelve life lessons he's learned from Mattis, I found myself nodding along in agreement and feeling deeply moved by their journey together.

One of the things I loved most about this book is how it highlights the profound ways in which dogs, like Mattis, can teach us important life lessons. From going all in and addressing our weaknesses to listening first and serving selflessly, each lesson serves as a powerful reminder of the impact our furry friends can have on our lives. As someone who has always believed in the power of dogs to teach us valuable lessons, I found myself reflecting on my own relationships with my canine companions and how they have shaped me as a person.

But "A Dog Named Mattis" is more than just a collection of life lessons—it's also a fascinating glimpse into the world of police K9 units and the incredible work they do to keep our communities safe. Through Mark's vivid descriptions and firsthand accounts of bravery and service, readers gain a deeper understanding of the vital role that K9 officers play in law enforcement. From their rigorous training to their unwavering dedication to their handlers, Mattis and his fellow K9s are true heroes in every sense of the word.

Overall, "A Dog Named Mattis" is a heartwarming and inspiring read that will resonate with dog lovers, K9 enthusiasts, and anyone looking for a powerful reminder of the importance of courage, service, and love. Mark Tappan's heartfelt storytelling and Mattis's incredible journey make this book a must-read for anyone who believes in the transformative power of man's best friend.

Such an amazing story for an animal lover. I enjoyed the smooth flow of the writing. Enjoyable story with detailed information of police K-9's. Mattis the Cadillac is amazing. Any animal lover needs to read this.

A Dog Named Mattis is a heartwarming story about the love between a canine and his handler. As a truly devoted dog lover this book was sheer gold for me and had all the feels and life lessons our furry companions can show us. It was also filled with the story of a brave, fierce dog determined to make his handler happy no matter the cost and this K9 story is truly remarkable. It never ceases to amaze me how intense and intelligent dogs are and how intuitive they can be. Wonderfully told by a man who was passionate about both his career and his canine companion Mattis. A must read for any dog lover! This is a great and inspiring story. Highly recommend it!!!

Very interesting book about an amazing dog and his partner. Explains the training involved and much more! I also enjoyed the spiritual elements and the deep connections between Mattis and Mark.

I received a copy of this book.
This is a wonderful story about a phenomenal police K9 and his handler. I love how Sgt. Tappan wove meaningful scripture with his story of how he became partners with Mattis.
Definitely recommend this book.

This book is very special to me as I have followed Mattis and Mark for a while now and to read the whole story of their first meet to Mattis’ retirement was awesome. They have sure had their trials and tribulations during their time together, some sad, some funny as heck but all inspiring, the way Mark always turned to his faith. Mark does not hold back in this book even when telling on himself, because we all know Mattis never does the unexpected. It is truly a large loss to the K9 family that he no longer is a leash holder. There is truly something in this book that will touch every reader. This is a wonderful and inspiring book and I loved it all. Mattis you keep being the Rock star you are!

What a good read! Organized as “12 lessons for living courageously,” the author uses engaging examples to illustrate each point. The pace kept me reading and rooting for Mattis, and I learned a lot about how police dogs are trained. After reading the ARC (thanks, Net Galley), I ordered a copy of “A Dog Named Mattis” for our son for Father’s Day.

This was a great book about a K9 and his trainer. I have read a few other books about k9’s and they are all fascinating to me. Most K9s are trained by foreign breeders. I love the words that are used to “pull the dogs back. Phooey was my favorite for some reason? The first part of the book covers the training that the officer was putting Matthis through, there were a couple close calls that resulted in Matthis being injured. It scared Mark, the police officer who was putting his K9 through his training. (Georgia) state for the reading challenge
The later 1/5 maybe was when they competed in a TV reality show. There are several other books about Matthis and Mark that I look forward to reading as well.
This is a Christian author and I received an Arc from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley.
This did not affect my review freely given.

these stories were heartfelt with humor thrown in. The love and the bond between him and his K9 companion are clear all throughout his book. The children's picture book he wrote was good also.

I loved this book for so many reasons. I enjoyed and could identify with the love between Mattis and his partner. I learned so much about the role of a police dog and handler. And I was reminded of God’s love and care for us, in good times and bad. Home run for this author!

I love dogs. I love working dogs even more. I have been following K9 Mattis on Instagram since probably 2017 and have loved seeing him work with his handler. I find Mattis’ intelligence and his sweet side so endearing. Sgt. Tappan’s love for Mattis showed through in his writing and made me love Mattis even more. This was a fun read and made me respect K9s and their handlers even more.

Loved this book. You can learn so much from your dog. They have unconditional love and just want to please. Be prepared to laugh as well as shed some tears. Highly recommend. I have started following Mark and Mattis on Instagram. Thank you NetGalley!

I didn't expect a book to hook me so well. I thought I was just reading a book about a man and his dog, but this book made me cry, made me think, and made me want more. This book is great for anyone needing something light and deep at the same time. Tappan makes you think deeper about your walk with God, and Mattis makes you want to train your own dog (or at least watch America's Top Dog). I recommend this for anyone - it is the perfect summer (or break) read.

This is a true story of the amazing relationship and journey between Mark and his K9 partner Mattis,
and their career with the Alpharetta Police Department in Georgia. Their bond is remarkable, and Mark truly shows it in this book.

I am a huge animal lover and after reading this book, I started following K9 Mattis on Instagram. I appreciate Mark for sharing him with us.

Thank you, Mark Tappan, Nelson Books/Thomas Nelson, and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book.