Pine Ridge, SC (Paul Kirby) – Lt. Vince Silano of the Pine Ridge Police Department was recently joined by a partner when K-9 officer Rens was put into service. According to the Pine Ridge PD’s social media page, Rens is a Belgian Malinois originally from Holland. Rens and Lieutenant Silano received 240 hours of training before Rens joined the lieutenant on patrol. Over this time, the bond between the two strengthened while they learned and grew as partners. They graduated with national certifications in drug detection, article search, tracking, and patrol.
Silano is an experienced handler. Prior to coming to Pine Ridge, he was involved in forming the K-9 team at the Cayce Department of Public Safety. He has owned several K-9s of his own over the past.
Since Rens has come to Pine Ridge, Protecting K9 Heroes, an organization out of Illinois, granted a K9 Trauma Kit and a Narcan kit to Rens. Naloxone, also known as Narcan, blocks the effects of opioids and reverses overdoses within 2-5 minutes. Each kit includes one 4 Mg device as well as a Narcan Holster. If exposed to opioids, the K9 must still be seen by a veterinarian, but the quick administration of the Narcan can save the animal’s life.
Unfortunately, departments risk losing K9s to the drug epidemic during searches every day. The organizations literature says that Protecting K9 Heroes goal is to have their handlers properly equipped in the case of emergencies. Handlers are instructed to receive training from their local veterinarians on the proper use of this product.
According to their website, Protecting K9 Heroes NFP Ltd is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that is operated on a volunteer basis only. They protect K9s through donations and support from the community. It is their mission to reduce the number of K9 related deaths throughout the United States by supplying as many of them with the protection they need. They offer ballistic vests, K9 First Aid Kits, and Narcan Kits. If you are interested in making a tax-deductible donation or helping to protect a K9, you may donate through their website at www.protectingk9heroes.com or checks can be mailed to: Protecting K9 Heroes P.O. Box 422 Glenwood, IL 60425. They can be reached at 708-480-2292. You can also follow Protecting K9 Heroes on Facebook.
