Carson City Sheriff's Deputy Jimmy Surratt and his former K-9 partner Ary demonstrate their training and special skills for a group of GATE students from Carson Middle and Eagle Valley Middle schools in this file photo.
The Carson City Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit hosted a group of students from the Gifted and Academically Talented Education (GATE) program from the Carson City School District Wednesday, March 5, 2014 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.
The K9 Unit also introduced the two newest dogs during the event. Recently K9 Teddy, who was with Deputy Dan Ochsenschlager, retired after over 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.
