One of the problems of the ongoing opioid epidemic and other drug issues is the harm that can be caused by simply touching or perhaps even breathing in the materials. In particular, it’s a major concern for law enforcement and other first responders who are involved in issues with the epidemic on a regular basis.

 

The issue, however, isn’t simply confined to humans. Dogs that make up the K-9 units across the country, including those in Harrison County, suffer the same dangers of exposure.

 

Those dangers now have been reduced. The Bridgeport Police Department and Harrison County Sheriff’s Department’s K-9 units have received some life-saving tools thanks to the national groupK9s of Valor, a non-profit, all-volunteer group whose sole mission is to assist K-9 units.

 

Harrison County Director of Emergency Management Laura Pysz recently reached out to the non-profit organization to see about getting K-9 Narcan and Trauma kits donated for the police K-9 units in  Harrison County that include two currently in Bridgeport and two currently in Harrison County.

 

“The dogs can sniff drugs and can affect them just like a human. This agency has donated across the U.S. and there was a recent incident where one of these kits saved one of the K-9 unit dogs,” said Pysz.

 

Pysz’s request was made for four kits for the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office dual purpose K-9s to receive Narcan and Trauma Kits and Bridgeport Police Department K-9s to receive two Narcan Kits. Two of the Sheriff’s K-9 are currently in training and will soon be put in service.

 

“We are pleased to announce that all six K-9s in the county are now protected by life-saving tools thanks to the non-profit organization K-9s of Valor. Each of these kits have been distributed to each K-9’s handler/partner and will be accessible to the K-9s if ever needed,” said Pysz. “We would like to thank K-9s of Valor for their donation and their constant support of Law Enforcement K9s here locally, and across the United States.”

 

Bridgeport's K-9 units consist of Matt Holley and his dog Barley as well as Scott Toothman and his dog Max. The Sheriff's units currently in operation are Sgt. J.D. Laulis and Rebbel along with with Deputy Ryan Harris and his dog Filou.

 

If you would like to learn more about K9s of Valor and their mission, please visit www.k9sofvalor.org.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Matt Holley with Barley, while Sgt. J.D. Laulis and Rebbel, left, and Deputy Ryan Harris and Filou are shown below.