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Tampa, FL, April 5, 2005 -- “We send them where humans don’t want to go.” MPO Kurt Middleton of the Tampa Police Department admits K-9’s have a dangerous job. His K-9, Zino, recently helped nab a kidnapping, aggravated battery and domestic violence suspect. Other dogs he’s handled have been stabbed at, cut up by jumping through broken windows and released into a looting crowd of 200 people. “We get injured often and so do they.”
So, MPO Middleton, along with other officers, firefighters, military dog handlers and rescue personnel across the Bay Area and beyond will participate in K-9 Down, April 16 and 17, in Tampa. “This seminar is a unique opportunity to provide emergency professionals with skills needed to assist canines hurt in the field, sometimes in the line of duty,” according to course organizer, Rita Hanel , DVM of Florida Veterinary Specialists. “Often, it’s the minutes prior to veterinary intervention that can make the difference between life and death.”
K-9 Down is the first of its kind in Tampa Bay. Professionals will receive hands on training on everything from determining vital signs to placement of intravenous catheters. The course will provide numerous visual opportunities for media. The media is invited to see demonstrations with actual dogs, including: bandaging, oxygen administration, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, transport techniques and much more.
In addition to Tampa Police, other units taking part in K-9 Down include: U.S. Navy, MacDill Air Force Base, Hillsborough Co. Sheriffs Office, Pinellas Co. Sheriffs Office, Florida Task Force 3 & 4 (Search and Rescue), Temple Terrace Police Dept., Orlando Fire Dept., and more!
K-9 Down takes place Saturday April 16 (8 a.m.– 5 p.m.) and Sunday April 17 (8 a.m.– 1 p.m.). It will be located at Florida Veterinary Specialists and Cancer Treatment Center, a state of the art 24-hour specialty referral and emergency practice in Tampa. The address is: 3000 Busch Lake Blvd.
The event has been made possible by Florida Veterinary Specialists Charitable Foundation. The foundation is designed to work hand-in-hand with the clinical hospital to support research, education and indigent care. “It is our hope that with continued funding of the FVS charitable foundation, we can provide this course and other valuable resources to the community,” says Dr. Hanel.
About MPO Kurt Middleton and Zino:
MPO K. Middleton, a 19-year veteran of the Tampa Police Department, has spent the last 15 years in the department's K-9 Unit. He is a Florida Department of Law Enforcement certified K-9 Instructor and has distinguished himself as the lead instructor for the explosives detection K-9's of the Unit. MPO Middleton has handled a variety of police K-9's including one's that were dual trained in narcotic detection, explosives and cadaver detection.
K-9 Zino is a four-year-old Belgium Malinois trained for patrol and explosive odors detection.
For more information, contact Kristen Levine at Fetching Communications, 727-480-8030.
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