 Fri, May 09, 2008 10:45 AM
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2008-03-13  TOP STORIES | Animal clinic donates puppy for Milton K9 work
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| | by Jason Wright | |  |
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| | | (JASON WRIGHT/www.northfulton.com)Milton’s newest K9 officer shares some time with the people that made it all happen. From left, Loving Hands Animal Clinic owner Dr. Joanne Roesner, Dr. Marc Seitz, Councilwoman Julie Zahner Bailey and trainer Kelli Collins of Georgia K9 Academy. (click for larger version) | |
March 17, 2008
MILTON -- Milton residents should keep their eyes open for Milton's newest resident, a furry bundle of goodness who currently remains nameless.
He's the city's newest future K9 officer, and he was donated by Milton's own Loving Hands Animal Clinic, who will also take care of the pooch for the rest of his life. The puppy will be trained by Kelli Collins of Georgia K9 Academy free of charge to the city, so the only cost incurred to taxpayers is for the dog's food and any handler salary.
In return, Loving Hands is asking that the dog wear a patch during its year-long training saying where he came from. In addition, depending on his schedule, he could be used for cross-promotion with the business' and city's public relations efforts.
In total, the city will likely save $15,000 to $20,000 with the donation.
"It just doesn't get much better than this," said Councilwoman Julie Zahner Bailey, who brought the idea to council at its March 10 work session. She and City Manager Chris Lagerbloom fleshed out the idea with Collins and Loving Hands owner Dr. Joanne Roesner.
They are hoping local children can get in on the naming and training of the dog and be updated on his progress.
"We thought that starting with a puppy would be a much better community outreach program because it can create a lot of opportunities for public relations with Loving Hands in the community, as well as public safety," said Collins.
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With the donation, Milton should have a new K9 officer on the street within a year, said Collins. The dog will be able to locate narcotics and trail humans by the end of its training, making it a valuable asset to Milton's police.
"I'm hoping this is a win-win situation," said Roesner. "It gives the opportunity for a public presence for all of us to be successful."
Lagerbloom was excited about the donation and the possibility of using the puppy as a low-impact way to introduce local students to law enforcement.
"In public safety, you don't get these types of opportunities often, so when you do you jump on them," he said.
The dog will join Milton's existing police dog DaSilva, who was donated in November by Design Review Board member and Imani Environmental Group owner Eddie Moore.
- www.northfulton.com
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