No Better Partner: Stamford To Honor Military, Police K-9s

Stamford CT

10 March, 2022

10:56 AM

Description

STAMFORD, CT — The Stamford community will come together on March 13 at Veterans Memorial Park to honor an oftentimes overlooked group in the military and law enforcement: K-9s. March 13 is National K-9 Veterans Day, and the Stamford Veterans Park Partnership (SVPP) has organized a family-friendly event to salute military working dogs and law enforcement K-9 units. Sunday's event will begin at 12:30 p.m., and is free and open to all. Parking is available courtesy of the Stamford Town Center. The program will include a brief ceremony followed by K-9 Unit demonstrations and a question and answer session led by Sgt. Seth O'Brien, trainer and supervisor of the Stamford Police K-9 Unit. The Connecticut National Guard's 928th Military Police Detachment will be on hand for the event. The 928th is stationed in Newton, CT, and conducts both explosive and narcotic detection patrol missions in support of state and federal law enforcement and homeland security partners. "We acknowledge the military holidays, and this is one of them," said Colleen Harkey, executive director of the SVPP. "We just thought it was most fitting that we include this holiday in our array of ceremonies to honor those who have served. We're delighted to add this to the calendar this year." The SVPP has partnered with the Ferguson Library for the event. To learn more on military working dogs, visit the library and ask about their featured selection of books. United States armed forces have relied on dogs since organized warfare began, the SVPP said in a news release. On March 13, 1942, the U.S. Army began training dogs for the newly established War Dog Program, also known as K-9 Corps., and the use of dogs in the military and police departments has expanded over the years. In the Stamford Police Department, there are eight dogs in the K-9 unit: K-9 Mac (German Shepherd), handled by officer David DogaliK-9 Knox (German Shepherd), handled by officer Jon Gale K-9 Kane (German Shepherd), handled by officer Michael CalifanoK-9 Pyro (Belgian Malinois), handled by officer Logan PaviaK-9 Taz (Belgian Malinois), handled by O'BrienK-9 Pogo (Labrador Retriever), handled by Sgt. Jim ComstockK-9 Dobey (Labrador Retriever), handled by officer Lou ScaranoK-9 Bram (Labrador Retriever), handled by officer Bill Edson The department receives puppies straight from a Connecticut breeder at around 8 months old. A puppy is assigned to a prospective handler, and training begins at around 14-20 months old. Officers Kara Hames, Kelli Reynolds and Matt Pompa, who are future handlers, wear protective equipment and help with training, which is all done in-house. Dogs can be in service until 8-10 years old. "We don't want any fear in them whatsoever," O'Brien said on the training. "We want them to think they're the king of the world, because there will come a time when they need to potentially go into a house and jump over furniture and through clutter, and potentially have to apprehend a really big, strong bad guy that's trying to hurt them or us." Officer Dogali and K-9 Mac. (Courtesy of Sgt. Seth O'Brien) The German Shepherds and Belgian Malinoises are classified as dual purpose K-9s. They can perform all of the patrol functions with their handler, such as tracking missing people or suspects from a crime, they can aid in deescalation and the apprehension of criminals, and they can search for evidence that's been discarded. The dogs are also trained in specialized detection, whether it's narcotics or firearms. The Labrador Retrievers are trained in explosives detection. "For us and the military, oftentimes these dogs are sent in to search an area before us, because we're transferring the risk onto the dog," O'Brien said. "The main reason, from the military to us, is a locating tool. It's not about biting. It truly is utilizing its nose in helping us locate people or things we otherwise couldn't have. It's absolutely amazing." Over his 18-year career with SPD, O'Brien has now handled three dogs. Officers can choose to keep their dog after they've been retired. O'Brien said the connection between handlers and their dogs is strong. "Unlike human partners when you go to your separate homes, these dogs are living with the handlers from 8 months old. It's not just a working partnership. We really are the sole caregivers and caretakers of these dogs," O'Brien said. "There's no better partner, I can tell you that."