K-9 Kali places in challenges

November 16 through the 19, the Georgia National Fairgrounds held their 11th Annual South Georgia K-9 (canine) Seminar, hosted by the Dooly County Sheriff’s Office. Over the course of the three-day affair, officers and their canines from across the United States worked together through the certifications workshop provided by the National Narcotics Dog Association to further their training, receive a required yearly certification, and gain awards in various challenges in the time allotted during the seminar.

Centerville Police Department’s own Officer Neesmith and his dog, K-9 Kali, won second place both in the tracking challenge and the team challenge.

According to Neesmith, the tracking challenge is a national standard challenge where the canine and officer work together to track down a target that has travelled up 1,000 yards into the woods and then waited for 30 minutes. The team challenge is an obstacle course in which the officer and canine work together through common occurrences from the field, such as finding hidden narcotics and firing weapons, as well as environmental challenges such as loud music and strobe lights. Teamwork, as well as the skills each of these officers is trained for, is largely important in the success of each team.

A big congratulations is due to Neesmith and Kali for bringing home both of these awards. Kali is the first canine that Neesmith has worked with, and they’ve been working and training together for two years now. Their hard work and diligence has paid off and strengthened our community.

For those interested in independent research in this topic or getting active in this community, go to www.gapolicek9foundation.org. There you can learn about events and provide donations in service of a foundation that’s goal is to “protect and serve active and retired law enforcement K-9s throughout Georgia by providing equipment, training, and care” as stated by there mission statement.

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