For years, Nestlé Purina and MSU-CVM have partnered to
improve the lives of people and pets. Mississippi State University’s K-9 unit is
proud to partner with and benefit from Nestle’ Purina’s support. Purina ensures
health and success for MSU’s K-9 unit by supplying food and funding to help
fuel the work days of service dogs.
The K-9 officers offer unique skills that expand the
capabilities of traditional officers. Named “Bessi,” “Miguel,” and “Bach,” the
dogs can conduct searches, track people or items, and detect bombs. They aid
the department in regular sweeps of campus athletic facilities and other
locations as needed. Having the K-9 unit allows the department to utilize their
tracking and searching capabilities at any given time and offers increased
levels of safety on campus. They also do demonstrations and visit local schools
and nearby jurisdictions. Previously, MSU made use of dogs affiliated with the
Mississippi Highway Patrol or other law enforcement agencies.
MSU Chief of Police, Chief Vance Rice, who oversees the K-9
unit says, "Because of the support that the MSU- Police Department
receives from Nestlé Purina, we have been able to increase our K-9 unit from
two to three. The food provided to our
K-9 unit gives them the strength they need to make it through rigorous work
days.”
"These dogs have a second thing that they are trained
to do, and that's handler protection," Rice said. While the dogs are
selected, in part, for their friendly nature, Rice said they are trained to
become aggressive on command and are prepared to protect police officers if
needed.” Corporal Patrick Jenkins, Corporal Nic Coe, and Officer Josh Ellis are
assigned specialized police vehicles designed with the dogs' safety, comfort,
and practicality in mind.
Corporal Jenkins said while they have scheduled weekly
training sessions, they practice daily to perfect obedience and commands. When
it's time to go home after a shift, the dogs go home with their handlers, who
in addition to treating them as a policing partner, treat them as pets.
MSU Police K-9 Unit - Images by Tom Thompson
MSU-CVM students have also started the Vets for Vets
program. Many former service dogs with degenerative joint tissue can benefit
from regular physical therapy but the cost is fairly expensive. With private
support to the program, MSU-CVM offers treatment and rehabilitation to dogs who
have bravely served as part of our military or police force.
Dogs enrolled in the program are evaluated and then they begin
the rehabilitation regimen. CVM students observe the process as part of their
academic training and some help with the treatments, including laser therapy
and work with the aquatic treadmill, and endless pool.
Vets for Vets operates completely by the support of
donations. If you would like to make a gift to fund rehabilitation packages for
military and police dogs, contact the CVM development team at 662-325-5893 or
662-325-5170.
