LOUDON COUNTY, Tenn. (WVLT) – In honor of National K-9 Police Veterans Appreciation Day, the Patriot Home Team at Keller Williams Realty has purchased six new tracking vests for the Loudoun County Sheriff's K-9 Unit. I'm trying to help you do that.
In addition to the vests, which cost about $500 each, the company is also trying to raise money to train future K-12 staff, as two K-12 staff are retiring soon.
Chris Hutchens, chief of operations for the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office, said K-9s are part of the family and retiring is just as difficult for them as it is for us.
“So when retirement comes, it's a tough transition because they're used to seeing you get up and go to work, and they follow you right away. For the first few days, when you walk out the door And they were like, 'Why don't I come with you?'” Hutchens said. “I think it's important for everyone to know what dogs do on the streets and how they become part of the family over the years.”
Training a K-9 costs about $25,000, and Michelle Cindy with the Patriot Homes team said the community has already stepped up for the officers.
“The community support has been incredible. With the amount of donations raised, people just supported them. We only had three weeks to plan this and next year we hope to make this an annual event.” We want to make it our event and support them in any way we can because they keep us safe,” Cindy said.
On Wednesday, the sheriff's office held a demonstration and meet-and-greet with local residents as part of a fundraiser.
Cindy said she plans to make this an annual event to help K-12 people and the sheriff's office.
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