They’re a soldier’s best friend
Normal
0
false
false
false
EN-US
X-NONE
X-NONE
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
— military working dogs serve faithfully on the front lines alongside U.S. military personnel. So, the Simsbury Police Department designed the “Heroes and Hounds” program to ensure they’re not forgotten while deployed around the world.
The program is the brainchild of Simsbury’s Animal Control Officer Mark Rudewicz, a Marine Corps veteran who’s no stranger to working dogs. Rudewicz supervised the Hartford Police K9 unit for 22 years.
“I wanted this to benefit two solider, the two-legged, and the four legged,” said Rudewicz. “Since 2009 I’ve probably sent roughly 2,800 care packages all over the Middle East, to Iraq and Afghanistan.”
“All year long we do this, we collect and send care packages to our military and their K9 supports,” Simsbury Police Chief Peter Ingvertsen said. “The officers are very proud of it. We have many officers who were also in the service, so it makes them even more proud.”
On Friday, officers packed up the latest shipment of care packages which will include Department of Defense-approved K9 cooling vests, paid for by an anonymous donor from West Hartford. The vests are earmarked specifically for K9s trained in explosive ordnance detection, who often work out front on patrols and road-clearing missions in extreme conditions.
“It’s hot out there, it’s uncomfortable,” Rudewicz explained, “and we figure this is a good way to give them a little comfort right away.”
Heroes and Hounds care packages contain treats for the dogs and their human handlers, such as hygiene items, snacks, dog toys, bedding and safety gear. Cash and item donations come from the police department, town employees, local businesses and nonprofits, and residents across the state.
Simsbury Police Sgt. Mark Critz knows firsthand how much the packages mean to deployed troops; he’s a retired Army major who served multiple tours in combat zones.
“When you get the package, it’s a good feeling because you feel like you’re so much closer to home when you get it,” said Critz.
To support Simsbury’s Heroes and Hounds program visit http://www.simsbury-ct.gov/police-emergency/pages/animal-control-officer or call 860-658-3110.
