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September 1, 2012

THPD units get sniff of success at K-9 Olympics

Lisa Trigg The Tribune-Star

TERRE HAUTE —

Some Terre Haute police officers with keen noses for crimefighting proved their proficiency recently by winning competitions at the K-9 Olympics.

First-place honors in Overall Team Narcotics and Narcotic Luggage were among six awards earned by the six THPD officers and their K-9 partners who traveled to Vohne Liche Kennels near Peru, Ind., last week to compete among more than 100 canine units.

“It seems effortless,” Police Chief John Plasse said of watching the K-9 units as they work on searches and tracking, but that is because of the constant training that goes on among the team members.

“You don’t see the countless hours of training,” Plasse said.

“The thing that impresses me the most is they do this every day, keeping our city safe.”

Sgt. Terry John, who oversees the team training, agrees that hard work goes into handling one of the highly trained, high-energy canines.

“With canines, there’s no such thing as a day off,” John said. “We’re always doing something — training, demonstrations, searches.”

This year was the first time that THPD has sent two three-man teams to the Olympics competition. Most departments send only one team of three officers and K-9s.

In proving their skills, the THPD team of John and dog Jasper, Devon Huebner and dog Axel, and Todd Haller and dog Diesel took first place in narcotics. The second team of Adam Loudermilk and Luca, Ryan Adamson and Caron, and Justin Sears and Arie took fourth place in the same category. So among all the teams competing, THPD placed two teams in the top four spots.

“We get a lot of support from the department, the community, and most of all from our families,” Sgt. John said.

Officer Sears agreed. “We couldn’t do it without the help of our department and the support of our community.”

And Plasse noted that the awards won are received for the city because without the support of the community, the K-9 team could not accomplish what it does. Many community groups -- from school children to service organizations -- support the K-9 unit by hosting fundraiser and buying equipment for training and work.

THPD purchases its K-9s through Vohne Liche Kennels, where a former THPD officer is one of the top trainers for the teams.

Reporter Lisa Trigg can be reached at (812) 231-4254 or lisa.trigg@tribstar.com. Follow her on Twitter @TribStarLisa.

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