More than 14 years ago Lima Police Sergeant Ron Conner approached me about providing veterinary care for the Lima Police Canine Unit. At the time of this request, I was somewhat naive about this important role, however, the decision to take it on was an easy one. While I knew I would be performing basic veterinary care for these canines, what I wasn't fully prepared for was the unique human/animal bond the handlers and their canine partners share.
Not many people can say
that they spend 24/7 with a "Best Buddy" that would take a bullet or
give up his or her life for them. Sergeant Conner had just such an experience
with Canine "Argo" during his career.
Argo, a male German Shepherd with beauty inside and out, once launched
himself out of his cruiser to rescue Sergeant Conner during a violent encounter
with a bad guy. This event led to Argo being rewarded the Ohio Veterinary
Medical Association's Service Dog Award during his active career.
To develop such a bond
starts with careful selection of dogs with appropriate ability to learn, as
well as "drive" to work. German Shepherds have traditionally been the
preferred breed for this role, although other breeds such as the Belgian
Malinois and Golden and Labrador Retrievers are commonly used, too. Currently,
the Lima Police Canine Unit consists of five German Shepherds, ranging in age
from 3 to 8 years old.
All service dogs need to
be physically fit, especially when it comes to joint health. Ideally, they
should have their hips and elbows certified by veterinary radiologists before
entering service. Once prospective Lima Police dogs pass screening for
intelligence, drive and joint health, their next stop is a visit to our
veterinary hospital for a health assessment.
A thorough veterinary exam is conducted to insure the dog is free of
congenital defects and in good general health to reliably perform the services
they are asked to do.
The tasks of the Lima
Police Canines include, but are not limited to daily patrol work, suspect and
narcotic tracking and public demonstrations.
These incredible canines and their handlers do a minimum of 15 minutes
of training daily, two 8 hour training sessions as a unit monthly, and they
attend 1-2 regional week-long seminars annually to learn from others outside
their area.
Living and working
day-in and day-out with these service dogs definitely leads to an intensely
cohesive bond. As described by Sergeant Conner, these canines and their
handlers know each other inside and out, and can sense each other's emotions,
tension, and even illness. The dogs live to work and are highly skilled at
knowing when to "turn the switch on," yet can walk in to a classroom
of young children and be a friend.
These abilities are
truly the end result of the strongest of relationships between canine and
handler that lead to undying devotion on the part of each. Sergeant Conner
states, "There's nothing better" when the two members of this
exemplary bond get into a cruiser together.
The saddest of days is
when age or terminal illness impacts the canines and retirement appears on
their horizon. Handlers must then
struggle to give these dogs an ongoing sense of employment when they no longer
get to go to work together.
Current Specialty Unit
Commander for the Lima Police Canine Unit, Sergeant Nick Hart, has already
thought about his six year old canine, "Bailey's" retirement. He
intends to continue to give Bailey training and play sessions in his golden
period, but of a lower caliber, to stimulate his mind and body---a philosophy
all two and four-legged retirees benefit from.
When working with these
service dogs in an exam room, I am repeatedly awed by the bond the Lima Police
canines and their handlers share. The handlers are very skilled at guiding
their dogs through proper behavior for sometimes uncomfortable procedures in
the veterinary hospital setting. However, at no time do I ever feel at risk
while in a small room with a four-legged weapon such as these.
It is truly my honor and
privilege to protect and serve those that live to protect and serve others, be
they two- or four-legged. Thank you,
Lima Police, and, especially, the Lima Police Canine Unit, for your commitment
to excellence, for recognizing and using the skills of service dogs, and for
all you do to keep everyone safe.
By Dr. Bonnie Jones
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