TERRE HAUTE —
K-9 Officers Jasper, Luka, Diesel and Carón didn’t like the snarls and growls coming from a “burglar” on Monday morning at Sarah Scott Middle School.
The sharp teeth of the four police dogs proved that a bite is worse than a bark when they latched onto the bulky black bite suit worn by Tony Smodilla in a demonstration by the Terre Haute Police Department’s K-9 unit.
A gymnasium full of students cheered when each dog caught “burglar” Smodilla after he made aggressive sounds and gestures.
But the students weren’t all cheering because they were glad to see Smodilla, the school’s media specialist, getting bested by the dogs.
They were glad to see that Smodilla was protected from the sharp teeth of the dogs by the bite suit that they helped purchase for the police department.
The students raised more than $1,900 during this school year to purchase the bite suit for THPD’s K-9 unit by hosting fundraising events.
THPD has six K-9 teams. Sgt. Terry John works with Jasper. Sgt. Todd Haller works with Diesel. Officer Adam Loudermilk is teamed with Luca. Ryan Adamson works with Carón. New K-9 Officers Justin Sears and Brent Heaton work with Arie and Bleky.
John, Haller, Loudermilk and Adamson showed how their dogs can subdue a suspect during Monday’s demonstration. Principal Greg Gauer also recounted that when he was wearing the borrowed (and somewhate smelly) bite suit last fall during another demonstration, he could feel the bite of the dog through the padding. However, “bad buy” Smodilla indicated that he never felt the teeth though the new suit’s thicker padding.
The school’s K-9 Crew, sponsored by seventh-grade language arts teacher Karen Stout, led some of the fundraising events as it built a relationship with THPD officers. After learning that the K-9 unit was using a bite suit borrowed from an agency in a nearby county, the students undertook the project of buying a new bite suit.
The students, like many in the Terre Haute community, felt a connection to THPD through some of the tragedies that occurred in 2011.
Stout explained that the first tragedy came with the loss of K-9 Ben, who had unknown health issues. Although his time with the THPD was brief, Ben was a much-loved member of the department and his family. Then shortly after losing Ben, the THPD suffered the loss of Officer Brent Long and the injury of Long’s K-9 partner, Shadow.
“It was a no brainer,” Stout said. “Sarah Scott Middle School had to become involved to show our appreciation for the officers and K-9s who, on a daily basis, risk their lives.”
At a fundraiser last fall, SSMS started selling wristbands to raise awareness and funds for the THPD K-9 unit. Throughout the year, teachers at SSMS and sister school Chauncey Rose Middle School, were able to wear blue jeans on specified days for a $5 donation -- with the funds going to the bite suit.
On Feb. 3, the THPD K-9 unit visited the middle school during an assembly and demonstrated just what the K-9 officers could do. Wearing the borrowed bite suit, SSMS principal Gauer got to experience the wrath of a K-9 officer.
On Feb. 14, the school also had a Valentine’s Day spaghetti luncheon and sold tickets for $5 with the proceeds going to the bite suit. Much to the delight of the students, Stout said, K-9 handlers and K-9 Officer Jasper made an appearance at that luncheon and interacted with the students.
Then in March, raffle tickets were sold for a chance to win a 15-pound Easter basket tub full of snack items with the proceeds going to the bite suit. A few donations were also received.
By April, enough funds had been raised to purchase the bite suit from the Vohne Liche Kennels in Denver, Ind. THPD gets all of its K-9 officers from that well-known canine company.
During the assembly, Gauer commended the students and staff for their fundraising efforts, and he said SSMS plans to continue the support and partnership with the THPD K-9. Plans are already underway for next year.
Adamson said the department intends to maintain a friendly relationship with the students, who may only see officers up close in times of distress or when officers are making an arrest.
“This is a way for us to come in and break those barriers,” Adamson said. “This isn’t about us taking the bite suit and running. We will develop this relationship for years to come.”
Reporter Lisa Trigg can be reached at (812) 231-4254 or lisa.trigg@tribstar.com. Follow her on Twitter @TribStarLisa.
Schools
Related Photos
-
Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza Bite suit bravado: Sarah Scott Middle School librarian/media specialist Tony Smodilla successfully gets one of the Terre Haute Police Department K-9 Unit K-9 officers to attack him during a demonstration of the new suit Monday at the school. Looking on is the unit's Sgt. Terry John.
-
Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza What it feels like: Sarah Scott Middle School seventh-grader Greg Schultz, 13, touches the Terre Haute Police Department K-9 Unit's new bite suit before a demonstration Monday at the school.
-
Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza Feel the adrenaline but not the bite: Sarah Scott Middle School librarian/media specialist Tony Smodilla tries to shake a Terre Haute Police Department K-9 officer loose Monday during a demonstration of the unit's new bite suit at the school. Helping Smodilla is the unit's Sgt. Terry John.
-
Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza Looking for something to sink his teeth into: Terre Haute Police Department K-9 Officer Diesel tries to get a hold of the unit's new bite suit as handler Sgt. Todd Haller keeps a close eye on the situation Monday at Sarah Scott Middle School. Wearing the suit is the school's librarian/media specialist Tony Smodilla.
-
Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza Look what's coming: Sarah Scott Middle School media specialist Tony Smodilla, right, tries to get the attention of a Terre Haute Police Department K-9 officer as he wears the unit's new bite suit with the guidance of Sgt. Terry John Monday at the school.
-
Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza Show of hands: When asked by Terre Haute Police Department K-9 Unit officer Ryan Adamson if they wanted to see their librarian, Tony Smodilla, bit in the unit's bite suit by a K-9 officer, some Sarah Scott Middle School students didn't waste any time to raise their hands Monday during a demonstration at the school.
Discussion
Grrrr-ateful for donation
Sarah Scott students get to see how new bite suit helps train K-9 teams
- Schools
-
-
Bruce’s history lessons: Truman’s decision to recognize Israel
This week (May 14) in 1948, at the direction of President Harry Truman, the United States recognized the existence of the newly formed state of Israel, which had declared independence earlier that day. It was, Truman later stated, among the most important decisions of his presidency.
- Reunion listings: May 16, 2013
-
Chances and Services for Youth to participate in food program
The Chances and Services for Youth recently announced plans to participate in the Summer Food Service Program.
-
South Latin students compete at convention
Terre Haute South Vigo High School Latin students competed with other Indiana schools at the recent state convention at ISU.
-
Southwest Parke School Corp. receives eLearning grant
Southwest Parke Community School Corp. has received an Imagining and Creating eLearning grant for the 2013-2014 school year through the Indiana Department of Education.
- Newsmakers: May 16, 2013
-
Otter Creek competes in regional Academic Super Bowl
The Otter Creek Academic Super Bowl teams competed in the regional Academic Super Bowl competition on April 27 at Sarah Scott Middle School.
-
Riverton Parke FFA teams compete at April 16 contest
Two Riverton Parke FFA Parliamentary Procedure Teams competed at the section competition for the Parliamentary Procedure Demonstration Contest on April 16 at the Indiana FFA Center in Trafalgar.
-
Parks offering summer day camp
The Terre Haute Parks and Recreation Department is now accepting registrations for its summer day camp.
-
State recognizes counties for improving college success
Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education Teresa Lubbers recognized 26 Indiana counties for working to increase the percentage of Hoosiers with education beyond high school. The counties are members of Indiana’s College Success Coalition, a statewide network focused on improving college access and success.
-
College Challenge program earns accreditation
Indiana State University’s College Challenge program for high school students has earned initial accreditation from the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships.
-
ISP offers youth an up close look at law enforcement
Most television viewers have seen at least part of a CSI or Law and Order episode. These shows seem to have spurred a new interest in law enforcement and forensics. For more than 40 years the Indiana State Police have been giving young people an up close look at law enforcement through its youth camps program.
-
Goals, Pride & Achievements: May 16, 2013
Alyssa A. Barnes of Clinton graduated from Purdue University on Sunday.
She has a bachelor’s degree in hospitality and tourism management, with a minor in psychology. -
Woodrow Wilson students collect funds for animals
The leadership team from Woodrow Wilson Middle School sponsored a week of giving to collect funds and supplies for the Terre Haute Humane shelter.
-
Riverton Parke academic bowl team finishes strong
The Riverton Parke English academic bowl team finished as runner-up at the state finals competition on May 4 at Purdue University, and the social studies team swept through all of its last eight questions without a miss to finish third in the contest.
-
Turkey Run High School names top 2013 students
Kaleigh Basan has been named valedictorian and Jeff Woods and Kendall Davies are co-salutatorians for the Turkey Run High School Class of 2013.
Graduation ceremonies will be in the high school gymnasium at 11 a.m. May 25 with 36 students receiving their diplomas. -
Bruce’s history lessons: Spring Cleaning 2013
Time for my annual “Spring Cleaning” column, in which I address reader issues and answer “Frequently Asked Questions.”
-
Moats gets ISU Rankin Award
Indiana State University has honored Katelynn Moats of Terre Haute with the Rankin Memorial Distinguished Senior Award in recognition of her contributions to the betterment of the university.
-
Turkey Run to honor seniors
Turkey Run High School will hold its senior awards and recognition program at 7 p.m. Monday in the ELC room. A reception will be held from 6 to 7 p.m.
The program for freshmen to juniors will be held at 1:32 p.m. May 16 in the high school gymnasium. -
Honey Creek math club earns gold status
Honey Creek Middle School has received Gold Level Status as a participant of the 2013 MATHCOUNTS Club.
-
Riverton Parke students bring home art awards
Students from 15 schools in west central Indiana competed in the 34th annual d’Arlier Trust Spring Art Show on April 19-25 in Veedersburg. Four Riverton Parke High School students won a total of nine awards in six of the show’s 20 categories.
-
Parke Adult Tutoring Service awards mini-grant
The Parke Adult Tutoring Service has awarded a mini-grant of $270 to Riverton Parke English teacher Mike Lunsford to purchase reading materials for his students.
- Vigo County School Corp. Honor Roll — Middle School, Second Grading Period
-
BRUCE’S HISTORY LESSONS: The Civil War: Means versus ends
The Civil War began this week (April 12) in 1861 with the shelling of the Union fort, Fort Sumter, by Confederate troops in South Carolina. Four years later that war ended with the total defeat of the Confederacy, and in the war’s wake many historians have concluded that a Union victory was inevitable given the huge advantages that the Union North had in terms of manpower, weaponry, manufacturing and industrial capacity.
-
SMWC honored for ‘Pomeroy Pride’
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College received a silver award from the “Higher Education Marketing Report” 28th Annual Educational Advertising Awards. The full-page ad publicly announced the launch of the SMWC’s campaign to build a sports and recreation center, titled the “Pomeroy Pride Campaign.”
-
ISU students garner awards at ITEEA conference
A group of Indiana State University technology and engineering education students talked to each other over walkie-talkies as they recently went to Columbus, Ohio, in a three-car caravan.
-
Indiana State to be recognized for ‘Celebrating Sustainability’
Indiana State University will be recognized in two venues this month as one of 20 colleges and universities nationwide that exemplify the mission of the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment to re-stabilize the earth’s climate through education, research and community engagement.
-
Pimento reunion dinner set for May 11
The Pimento School reunion dinner will be held May 11 at Hoosier Prairie School. Friendship hour will begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. A meeting and program will conclude the evening.
-
ISU taking applications for Summer Honors program
Indiana State University is accepting applications from talented high school students interested in taking part in this year’s Summer Honors program.
-
ISU student selected as a Newman Fellow
Katelynn Taylor, a junior at Indiana State University, is one of 181 student leaders nationwide selected by Campus Compact as 2013 Newman Civic Fellows.
- More Schools Headlines
-
Bruce’s history lessons: Truman’s decision to recognize Israel
Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest
Conn. Commuter Trains Collide; 60 Go to Hospital
Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge
Fmr. IRS Head Insists No Politics in Targeting
CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools
Raw: Germany Protestors Picket Barbie House
Lotto Fever Sweeps the Country
NM Mom Chases Down Child Abductor
China, Others Want What's Under the Arctic Ice
Raw: 6 Die in Russian Ship Fire
Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool
$1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest
One Million Evacuated As Cyclone Hits Bangladesh
Raw: Suicide Bomber Kills 2 Americans, 13 Others
Raw: Texas Gov. Flies Over Tornado Damage
Raw: Pope Frees Doves From Cage
Dying Man's Blinks Lead to Murder Conviction
Raw: Obama Sits Down With Elementary Kids
Terror Suspect Due in Court in Idaho Friday
NTSB Begins Investigation Into Conn. Train Crash
Coffee Stop Leads To Arrest Of YouTube Sensation Wanted For Murder
Bearded Dragon Reunited With Owner
Marine Reunited with Warzone Companion
Beyonce Is Pregnant!
SF baseball player overpaid $500,000 RETURNS money -- and team says KEEP IT
Dad returns from Afghanistan, surprises family during Rays' first pitch
See Jennifer Lopez's New $10m Hamptons Mansion
Woman tricked into taking abortion pill
Emma Watson Goes Pantless
IRS scandal: Republicans seek to tie Obama to agency's woes
Play of the Day: Flipping to Safety
Pregnant Kim Kardashian Squeezes Her Swollen Feet Into Stilettos
Top Videos of the Week: Angry Taco Bell Guy, Glacier Moves on House, Dog Hates Baths
Cindy Crawford Stuns At Cannes
Raw: Marines Come to Obama's Aid in the Rain
CUTE: Monkey shares lollipop with dog, then HITS pooch on head with it
Miranda Kerr Looks Sexy in a Bikini Photo Shoot
