WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL gets a visit from canine unit

Officer Regan from the Taylor Police Department’s canine unit recently paid a visit to West Middle School‘s sixth grade classes. Officer Regan, along with a fellow officer, brought his canine companion, a German Shepherd named Simon, to visit.  Simon is an official canine officer. 

     

Officer Regan informed the students how beneficial Canine Officer Simon is to the Taylor Police Department. Among his duties, Simon helps sniff out illegal drugs, can look for missing persons and assists in apprehending suspicious individuals.

Canine Officer Simon wears a special bullet proof vest when he is on duty. Simon has been trained to obey both hand and verbal commands. The training is usually game motivated. But at times hotdogs are used as an incentive for a job well done. 

         

Usually Simon is kept on a 30-foot leash, but can sniff out drugs or people of interest from one to two miles away. If Simon is let off his leash a GPS tracker located in his collar can easily detect his whereabouts. Canine Officer Simone’s contributions to the TPD are invaluable. 

     

We thank the Taylor Police Department, especially Officer Regan, his fellow officer and Canine Officer Simon for explaining to our six graders how intelligent dogs are.

The students learned dogs can be trained for a variety of tasks including, but not limited to, helping the police, the fire department and the disabled.  Dogs, especially Canine Officer Simon, truly are man’s best friend.

Submitted by Sara Bochenek