In January 2009, I was approached by a Commander in my police department that asked me if I could find someone willing to donate a dog that could be trained for police work.  I then asked him for which police department.  He stated “ours of course!”  I was surprised to hear that being that we are 140 man department that already has 3 dogs.  I immediately knew who to contact.

I called Jason Purgason, the Training Director at Highland Canine.  I spoke to him about what was asked of me.  Without hesitation he reminded me of the Paul LeBlanc Memorial Working Dog Donation Program which is a program he created to assist police departments that just don’t have the funds to purchase a K9.  He then reminded me that he still had a dog by the name of “Jerry Lee” and that he would be happy to donate him to our department.  I was familiar with this dog, because when I attended Highland Canine’s Trainers School I spent much time training this Malinois.  I knew from the time I spent with this dog that it had all the necessary drives to be a police K-9.

After about a month of work, a proposal was presented to our Chief.  Our Chief and the rest of his command staff did not hesitate to accept Jerry Lee.  I spent approx. another 3 months training Jerry Lee in Narcotics Detection, Scent Discrimination Trailing, Obedience, and Article Searching.  Jerry Lee was a pleasure to train!!  He caught on to everything I was teaching him with no problems. 

In July, Jerry Lee and his new handler Officer Eric Trehern certified as a K9 team, and they have been doing great!!!!  Here is what they have accomplished in just the first 12 days:

SEARCHES                        NARCOTICS LOCATED                           

10 Vehicle sniffs                    53.44 GRAMS MARIJUANA              

6 alerts                                      15.33 GRAMS CRACK COCAINE

all 6 alerts with narcotics finds         1 GRAM OF HEROIN

This is just on their first 12 days of being a certified team!  Great Job….

None of this would be possible without the generous donation of Jerry Lee from Highland Canine through the Paul LeBlanc Memorial Working Dog Donation Program.

If you are interested in obtaining information on the Paul LeBlanc Memorial Working Dog Donation Program please contact myself or Jason Purgason of Highland Canine Training Center.