4-H kids donate police vests to K-9's

CHESTERTOWN — Every first and third Wednesday, the Kent County Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit cooperating with police departments in Easton and Federalsburg and Dorchester and Caroline county agencies, train their dogs.

On Wednesday, Sept 18, they trained in Kent County, where Geno’s Automotive, 807 Washington Ave, was located. After that the K-9 units were invited to the Kent County Middle School to receive something special.

In a gracious gesture of police support, the Kent Puppy Pals 4-H Dog Club donated a LOF (Line of fire) Defense Street Fighter vest to Addy, a German Shepherd, handled by Dfc. Craig Lewis of the Dorchester Sheriff’s Office.

Going through Kent County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Scott Lockerman’s organization, the Maryland Police K9 Foundation, the Puppy Pals donated a check for $300 in June.

Club Leader of Puppy Pals Kim Montooth explained each year they do a service project. Last year, for instance, they raised money for the Humane Society. This year was exciting for the kids and something different, Montooth remarked.

These vests are just as important for the dogs as for the officers, Lockerman pointed out.

Addy wasn’t the only dog receiving one.

Molly’s Place also donated $1,000 in a vest for Waylon, a K-9 black lab handled by Pfc. Nick Lang of the Easton Police Department.

In front of about 20, the dogs modeled the vests, which are lightweight enough yet specially designed to protect their vital organs.

Then the Puppy Pals kids and their families gathered around to pet the dogs, who were still a little amped up after training all day.

After the children met with the dogs and 4-H mom Karri Bryant had a playful tug of war with Addy, they were invited into the school where they witnessed a live demonstration of how Addy sniffs out controlled substances.

In two of the classrooms the controlled substances were stashed; two they weren’t. Led by Lewis, sniffing desks and drawers, Addy alerted to the controlled substance in both rooms in about 30 seconds.

Trainer Mark Carr, of Tidewater Strategic Services said the dog doesn’t go right to the spot because of the nature of scent itself. The K-9 moves around the perimeter of the room, getting the entire scent. Once she gets a complete picture, she can hone in.

And that’s what Addy did to the children’s enjoyment.

President of the club Trenton Montooth was impressed. At 14 years of age, he has decided he wants to be a K-9 officer.

He has a good model in Lockerman too, who since last year has handled Khari, a Belgian Malinois Shepherd, who has quickly herself become a part of the community.

Lockerman thanked the Puppy Pals and Molly’s Place, expressing the importance of their giving by showing the positive impact K-9 dogs make.

“K-9’s make the community safer with their presence. Crime rates go down. Schools are much safer. Even the town’s property values go up,” he said.

DFC Michael Piasecki added that K-9’s often diffuse potential violent situations, reducing the use of force.

And in this case, in the parking lot of the school, the dogs made a lot of kids pretty happy that day.