Carson City GATE students get schooled in sheriff's office K9 patrol
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Thu, 03/06/2014 - 8:43am
The Carson City Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit hosted a group of students from the Gifted and Academically Talented Education program from the Carson City School District Wednesday at the Fuji Park Pavilion.
Twenty-seven 6th and 7th grade students from Eagle Valley and Carson Middle Schools spent the day with the K9 Unit learning how the dogs work in drug detection, patrol work, and tracking. Demonstrations were done with the dogs and their handlers giving the students first hand experience at just what the teams are capable of.
Carol Harris of the GATE program said the demonstration Wednesday is part of an ongoing partnership with community service organizations. Similar demonstrations have been done at the Brewery Arts Center and the Carson City Library.
"It's a great way for the agencies and organizations to share their expertise with our students," said Harris. "Education should also be experienced in the community as well as in the schools."
The K9 Unit also introduced the two newest dogs during the event. Recently K9 Teddy, who was with Deputy Dan Ochsenschlager, retired after more than seven years of service.
The Sheriff’s Office recently added K9 Ivo who is assigned to Sergeant Brian Humphrey. Sgt. Humphrey is the supervisor of the Special Enforcement Team (SET), Gang Unit, and K9. The addition of Ivo will give those specialized units direct and immediate access to a K9 at all times. The second new K9 is Hero, who was assigned to Deputy Joe Apple. Deputy Apple is currently assigned to Swing Shift Patrol and is a member of the Honor Guard.
Both new dogs are German Shepherds and were funded by a grant from the Helen Close Foundation, which supports local law enforcement agencies. Ivo and Hero are dual purpose K9s for Patrol work and Drug Detection. They recently passed all certifications and are full-time on the streets of Carson City fighting crime. With the addition of the two new K9s the unit now has a total of five K9 teams. The other three are K9 Rex assigned to Deputy Jeff Pullen, K9 Ary assigned to Deputy Jimmy Surratt, and K9 Tarzan assigned to Deputy Darin Riggin.
The students were able to meet all of the Carson City Sheriff’s Office K9 teams and take pictures with them. In promoting community partnerships like this event, Sheriff Kenny Furlong says “I realize the importance of the role that law enforcement plays in the lives of our young adults, primarily at that pivotal middle school age.”
The K9’s receive excellent veterinary care donated by Sierra Veterinary Clinic in Carson City.
Among the many students who had face time with the dogs, Students Alyssa Rowe, 13, and Shea Dejoseph, 12, took to Tarzan immediately and the dog did with them.
Alyssa told Sheriff Furlong she would consider law enforcement as a career if she could work with K9s. Other students asked questions about the friendly nature of the dogs and what it takes to keep them motivated.
Quite simply, it's the tennis ball, said Deputy Riggin.
"They live for the reward of playing with the tennis ball," he said.
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