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For Immediate Release
Contact: Tajiana Ancora-Brown
813.933.8944
tajiana@bluepearlpartners.com
Law Enforcement K-9 Handlers Learn New Tricks
~K-9 Down Trains K-9 Handlers to Provide Medical care to their Canine Partners~
Tampa, Fla., Sunday, March 1, 2009 – K-9 Down, a specialized two-day training for law enforcement canine handlers and emergency professionals who respond to injured canines, was held at the Florida Veterinary Specialists in Tampa this weekend. More than 30 participants ranging from sheriffs and fire rescue officials to federal agents from across the U.S. attended lectures and hands-on training sessions presented by board certified veterinary specialists.
“I joined the K-9 Unit about eight months ago and one of the first things I did was signed up everyone who had never attended K-9 Down for the very next training weekend,” said Sgt. Rodney Taylor with the Manatee County Sheriffs. “I felt it was really important because dogs are our bread and butter and we need to be sure that they receive emergency and critical care when they need it most.”
The Manatee County Sheriffs’ K-9 Unit has nine dogs and four of the handlers attended this year’s K-9 down where participants learned how to treat gunshot and burn wounds, perform CPR, apply bandages and take vital signs. The hands-on training also taught handlers how to administer fluid therapy and what steps to take when poisoning occurs.
“I work with Perkins who is a young black Labrador and is the only non-biting dog so he is the one that is called in for Amber and Silver Alerts,” said Sgt. Taylor. “He flunked out of the Southeastern Guide Dog School because he was a little too hyper but that was what made him so valuable to us. We need hyper dogs to sniff out drugs and to track.”
“We have had tremendous success with K-9 Down in the past where participants from all across the country attend,” said Gail Moore, program coordinator. “Our program provides extensive hand-on training that can save a dog’s life. This is especially important for working dogs that save our lives every day.”
Last year the Manatee County Sheriff K-9 Unit assisted in apprehending 185 fleeing criminals. The K-9 Unit currently has nine dogs, of which six are Belgian Malinois and two are Dutch Shepherds. “It is critical that all of our handlers attend K-9 Down at least once because unfortunately we have already seen our own tragedies where one of our dogs was bitten by a snake on his snout and another was hit with a brick and by a car.”
K-9 Down is a highly specialized program designed for professional working dog handlers and emergency rescue personnel - anyone who may respond to canine health emergencies in the field. The course is tailored for police officers, firefighters, medics, search and rescue teams, military dog handlers or other canine handlers with specialized training. The course is two days in length. A series of lectures are presented the first day on topics ranging from the normal canine physical exam to toxicities and heat exhaustion. On the second day, the group is divided and assigned to one of two half day sessions, which offer hands-on training in small group sessions. For more information, please visit www.k9down.com.
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