Whitley County Sheriff’s Department participates in K-9 training program

K9s United, a national nonprofit dedicated to advocating and supporting K-9 law enforcement officers, recently hosted a free four-day training seminar for nearly 50 K-9 teams and EMS professionals from across Tennessee and nine other surrounding states, including a representative of the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department.

The purpose of the training was to ensure local and regional K-9 units and EMS professionals have the highest level of customized training, problem solving and animal care necessary to protect and serve their communities.

The training featured a 70-pound simulated canine that barks, bleeds and breathes like a real Belgian Malinois police dog. These hands-on scenarios aim to increase a K-9 officer’s chance of survival on the front line by educating K-9 handlers and EMS professionals on the dog’s anatomy, combat and environmental injuries, treatment protocols, among other life-saving techniques K-9s may require in a moment’s notice.

K9s United also provided the attending K-9 handlers and EMS professionals with the materials they need to build their own first aid kit before ensuring the recipients understand when to use what and when.