We are dedicated to providing financial assistance and training to police service dog teams in Vermont
The 5th Annual HITS National K9 Training Conference was held in July in Washington,D.C. The VPCA provided assistance for our members to attend the conference. HITS 2011 included over 40 different vendors, showcasing the most high tech and reliable K-9 gear and related products in the world.
Check out the great story WCAX TV aired following some of VPCA’s K9 teams in training here.
I want to say thanks to all those who made it to this year’s Green Mountain Iron Dog. Our Tenth Annual will certainly be remembered as the coldest, wettest and muddiest event in our history.
We had new obstacles and brought back some old ones. The one unplanned obstacle was the weather, with highs in the low 50′s, and a steady rain all day.
Thanks to the 51 teams who made it to the event. … Thanks to the volunteers who helped on the course, before, during, and after. Thanks to our many volunteers and supporters such as the Manning family for keeping track of our times, B-Sharp DJ (The Harrington’s) for entertaining us, and of course Shawna Lapierre, Jen Allen, Children Unlimited, Joanni and Gary, Judge Cashman, Val Masiello, Jesse Treier, Camp Kiniya, Cindy Cross and Bow Meow, Harry Fell, Buddy Marceau, Jason Porter, Joe Rheaume, Jeff Fontaine (and that awesome grill from the Colchester Lions) , Central Service, Mary Censi and Star 92.9, Coca-Cola, Jen Redmond, Al’s French Fry, Madhouse Munchies, Sgt. Deeghan and the EOD truck, the Purple Bus and team from Gulliver’s Doggie Daycare, Pet Food Warehouse, Joe St. Marie and his sled dogs, Doc Howard and the staff at VVSC (Deb and Tracy especially) and….. (I’m sure I forgot a few again, sorry). And many of you brought friends and family, thanks to them, too.
I especially want to thank Michelle Leblanc, Mark Redmond, Wade Labreque, Tom Radford, Bobby Ryan and his son Robert, and Jori Fairbanks for 3 days (and more) of hard work setting up, tearing down, and all the behind the scenes stuff like making sure we had food, awards, shirts, and obstacles. And to my family for understanding that for the week of the event, I will not be at home.
And to the runners: Thanks for braving the weather. Hope you had fun and hope to see you again. Check out www.vtk9.com and facebook for times and photos soon.
Thank you,
Dave Dewey and the VPCA
Police Puppy Program Update
Our new K9 team of K9 Tarawa and his handler Trooper Wayne Godfrey of the Shaftsbury Barracks recently graduated from Drug School and will attend patrol school this summer.
We are proud to announce that our online store is now up and running! Just click on the “store” tab above our home page to access what we have to offer for you and your family. Please check back often as we post new items for you. Remember that all the proceeds go directly to supporting the K9′s and their handlers. Thank you for your support!
Dr. Howard has been a strong proponent of our K9 program for many years, but took a strong interest in the K9 program when one of our K9′s, K9 Kilo (of the Winooski and Colchester Police Departments) needed care in 1999. K9 Kilo became a regular visitor for many years until his death in 2006. Dr. Howard then flew Officer Dewey and the VT Police Canine Program’s head trainer Robert Ryan to Ohio to purchase a new dog to fill Kilo’s position. Over the years Dr. Howard has treated approximately 20 of our Police K9 teams from VT, NH, and NY. It has always been obvious that Dr. Howard enjoys his chosen profession, but it quickly became apparent that his passion is working with the K9 dogs.
As Dr. Howard stated: ” It is a privilege to be entrusted with the care of your partners; it is a responsibility that my staff and I take very seriously. Fortunately my staff is as passionate about it as I am. Thanks for recognizing their efforts.”
Dr. Howard and our friend Kirk Walters, who lost his beloved friend and personal companion Lacey, a yellow lab, started Lacey’s Fund in 2008. This fund was created to help our VPCA retired K9′s with medical and end-of-life expenses.
We now have a Facebook page, updated regularly by Michelle. Check it out for new photos, news etc.:
The VPCA hosted a Decoy School at the Academy. Three handlers and three decoys attended, spending the long weekend being hit, punched, tackled and bit by our dogs. Good school.
