The dog days of summer took on a much more fun meaning last week as K-9 units from local law enforcement agencies teamed up for a demonstration for children at a Snellville summer day camp. Officers, both human and canine, showed off their skills for children at the Cannon United Methodist Church Day Camp at 2424 Webb Gin House Road.
"Kids like to see the dogs," said Snellville Police Department Lt. David Matson, who handles the city's newest K-9 officer Jax and worked with retired K-9 officer Chris. "Sometimes there's this negative aspect of 'Ooh, it's a police dog.' We like to get people familiar with the dogs so at the end of the day, they just see them as dogs."
Matson said many people don't realize a police dog, when not working, is just as friendly as any ordinary family dog. It is not until the trainer tells them to go to work that the dog's temperament changes.
Sherrye Beebe with the church, said she is always looking for "anything different" to entertain the 222 children who attend the summer program. Her campers were delightfully entertained by the K-9 demonstration as the handlers put their dogs through training exercises.
"We want them to get familiar with the police and the dog so they want they won't be afraid of either of them," she said.
Matson, and officers and K-9s from the Duluth Police Department and Georgia Gwinnett College K-9 units, showed techniques used in evidence recovery, explosive device detection and apprehension.
Matson explained the equipment K-9 units use including bulletproof vests, muzzles and the treats and toys enjoyed by the dogs once each mission is complete.
Those joining Matson and Jax were Officer Phil Halladay and K-9 Duko, Officer Jimmy Purvis and K-9 Frummel and Officer Misty Howell and K-9 Alf of the Duluth Police Department. Officer Chandler Smith and K-9 Buddy joined the demonstration from the Georgia Gwinnett College Police Department as well as officers Orlando Concepcion, the newest Snellville K-9 handler, Scott Smith and Marc Thomason.
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