Man's Best Friend:
Honoring Police Canines on K9 Veterans Day
Man’s best friend doesn’t just like visits to the dog park or belly rubs – sometimes, they earn a place serving next to the men and women protecting our country.
March 13th marks K9 Veterans Day, a time to honor the canine counterparts in our military branches and patrol units. Join us as we reflect on these four-legged heroes and the sacrifices they make to keep us safe.
July 1961 marked the CPD’s first Canine Patrol – modeled after St. Louis’s training program – and soon proved to be the ultimate addition to the department.
From tracking down criminals, locating illegal substances, and reuniting families with lost children, the dogs helped level-up the Department’s presence throughout the city.
In recent decades, their keen sense of smell has been used to identify explosives.
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Honoring Their Connection
The bond doesn’t end when the squad car shuts off. Instead of being boarded in kennels, each canine lives with the handler, often for years at a time (Chicago Police Department).
So when it comes time to say goodbye, losing that special relationship can be an emotional time.
Officer Kenneth Gardner recounts the first time he met Domi, his canine companion for over a decade: “I remember the first time I saw Domi… he had such a unique look that he reminded me of a wolf, or a lion. And I thought to myself, if I do get to pick a dog, I’m definitely going to try and put Domi as my number one… Fate reached its hand down, and the trainers agreed that Domi and I were going to be a good match.”
Just like many of the canines in the unit, Domi was an excellent example of an ideal police dog: gentle with children, yet alert and able to hone in at a moment’s notice.
Chicago police canines are generally only euthanized due to terminal illnesses, severe untreatable conditions, or extreme old age, mirroring decisions made for any terminally ill pet.
It’s not uncommon for officers to report their canine’s End of Watch via police radio. A thin blue line flag typically adorns the canine after they’re laid to rest, where they receive a service with officers ready to pay their respects. Though a solemn event, it’s a final loving reminder of the unwavering commitment between the officer and their four-legged best friend.
SEND US YOUR STORIES
Do you have any info…
- About your experience training with your own CPD canine?
- On any standout memories in the CPD’s canine unit?
Send details and photos to pon@ponetwork.com. Together, let’s dig deeper into history!
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