Troy Dunkle: Founder of Black Pad Coffee Company
Troy Dunkle is the founder of Black Pad Coffee Company.
He grew up just outside of Baltimore, Maryland, where he watched both his father and older brother serve in the United States Navy. Their service during the Global War on Terrorism left a strong impression on him, sparking his own call to serve. Troy went on to join the United States Army.
He spent six years with the 82nd Airborne Division, deploying to Afghanistan in support of Operation Freedom Sentinel. Following his time in the 82nd, he transitioned into the role of a drill sergeant, shaping the next generation of infantry soldiers.
Throughout his service, Troy developed a deep respect for military working dogs and law enforcement K9s. He became increasingly aware of the challenges surrounding their adoptions and the medical expenses they would incur after retirement. “After finding nonprofits that helped these dogs, I wondered if there was anything else I could do to help.”
Black Pad Coffee Company & The K9 Mission
In January 2024, Troy turned that question into action and founded Black Pad Coffee Company.
The vision was simple but powerful: to create a business rooted in giving back to the service dogs of our country. Black Pad Coffee provides fresh, roasted-to-order coffee shipped right to your door; it’s an everyday staple with a bigger mission behind it.
This mission was born out of the devastating reality that many of these dogs, after years of service protecting men and women in uniform, were being euthanized. The nonprofits Black Pad partners with work to prevent this outcome, reuniting dogs with their former handlers, providing rehabilitation, covering medical expenses, and matching disabled veterans with service dogs.
Products
Black Pad Coffee’s premium roasts feature eclectic flavors from around the globe, including Indonesia, Nicaragua, and Guatemala. Their lineup ranges from chocolate hazelnut to French vanilla to a 6-bean blend. They even feature a coffee aged for 30 days in a whiskey barrel.
The company has since expanded into tea and merchandise, with everything rooted in the core mission: giving back to K9s and the communities that rely on them.
Nonprofit Partners
- K9 Heroes 4 Heroes: Training service dogs for veterans and first responders in need.
- Paws of Honor: Providing high-quality veterinary care and products for retired military and law enforcement K9s, taking the financial burden off of owners.
- Project K-9 Hero: Ensuring the best quality of life for retired Police K9s and Military Working Dogs through medical care, prescription food, rehabilitation, rehoming, and end-of-duty services.
Resilience
When asked about resilience, Troy points to one thing first: his family.
“When you have people who count on you, failure isn’t an option. They are both my reason to keep moving forward and my support system.”
Family is what grounds him, but it’s also what connects his story back to his mission. Troy knows what it means to carry responsibility, from his time in service, for service dogs who’ve given everything, and now for his family and community. His resilience comes from remembering who depends on him and why the work matters.
The Army, the people Troy served with, and the experiences they shared, forever shaped who he is. Through Black Pad Coffee Company, he’s found a way to carry forward that same spirit of service into this next chapter.
To learn more about Troy and Black Pad Coffee Company, use the links below:
