‘I did not know that dogs will be law enforcement officials, too,’ says Grade 1 pupil at this week’s launch of calendars that increase funds for OPP charities
ORILLIA, Ont. — The OPP’s Canine Unit placed on a present Tuesday for Grade 1 college students from Mnjikaning Kendaaswin Elementary School.
Students from the Rama First Nation faculty had been invited to OPP General Headquarters in Orillia to satisfy the canine stars of the unit and study extra about how the well-trained animals assist to serve and shield the neighborhood.
The occasion was held to launch the OPP’s Canine Unit Calendar, which helps the Friends of the OPP Museum and the OPP Youth Foundation.
“This is the seventh yr we have had the calendar,” stated Rohan Thompson, the OPP’s deputy commissioner of visitors security and operational help. “Last yr, we had been lucky to make over $36,000 from these calendars, with the entire income going again to those two charities.”
Thompson says having youth available to satisfy the canine unit members was “an excellent factor.”
“It solely breaks down obstacles with police,” he stated. “They should know that we’re right here to assist them and to help them.”
With the youngsters interacting with canine handlers, Thompson hopes they’ll perceive the profession alternatives which are available by way of the OPP.
“They are solely in Grade 1,” he acknowledged. “Hopefully, as they get older, they’ll bear in mind this expertise, the officers, and the Canine Unit they had been in a position to meet and work together with.”
The college students discovered how the unit is deployed for search and rescue and suspect apprehension missions.
“It’s a giant software that’s used in all probability each single day throughout this province,” Thompson stated, noting the unit has 53 dogs and 33 handlers in Ontario.
Students Alex Kwekeboom and Blakely Masterson loved assembly the dogs and their handlers.
“I received to throw a ball previous the canine, and he went and caught it,” Kwekeboom stated. “I’ve a canine at home, however these dogs are totally different.”
He says the police dogs are “very good.”
“I discovered that dogs will be extremely educated,” he stated. “They can be utilized to avoid wasting folks’s lives.”
Masterson says the occasion was “a whole lot of enjoyable.”
“I loved watching the dogs do totally different methods,” she stated. “I did not know that dogs will be law enforcement officials, too.”
Bradley Gillespie, program supervisor and senior teacher for the OPP’s canine program, says the calendar program is “tremendous essential” to the unit.
“The handlers are tremendous pleased with the chance to showcase their dogs,” he stated. “They put a whole lot of time and coaching into their dogs. They are very pleased with that and the chance to assist fundraise for some crucial packages.”
The OPP Canine Unit Calendar will be purchased on the OPP Off Duty Shop at OPP General Headquarters on Memorial Avenue in Orillia, or online. They cost $15 every.
