By Nate Perez

Quincy University hosted its second Dog Days event at Friars Field today. K-9 units from the region came to demonstrate the ability and purpose of dogs in the police force.

There were three stations. Station one included Ajax, a 3-year old Belgium Malinois. Ajax and handler Deputy Gunnar Caster performed tracking and article searches.

Station two included Kilo, a 5-year old Belgian Malinois/Dutch Shepard mix. Kilo and handler Officer Michael Tyler showed us how K-9’s search for drugs.

The third and final station included Reno, a Belgium Malinois. Reno and handler Scott Saalborn showcased apprehension as Reno took down a fully suited officer in Friars Field.

“We enjoy doing this so students can see what the capabilities are with the K-9 unit,” Chief Deputy Joe Lohmeyer said.

The event was open to the public. Area high school and grade school students attended along with Quincy University Students.

“It was such a success two years ago, we wanted to invite more people to campus,” Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice Judy Abbott said. “We have Quincy High School, Quincy Notre Dame and even home schooled students, as well as members of the community.”

The event is beneficial for prospective high school students and college students looking to enter the communication, political science, and criminal justice field.

“Dog days was a really different opportunity to peak inside what it’s like for the canine officers and their dogs,” Political Science Freshman Mary Argana said. “Dogs in general are pretty well known in society, but these police dogs are exclusive. I was able to experience first hand what the dogs do and what they are capable of doing. Something I didn’t know is the dogs are given commands in Dutch by their officers. They do so because most dogs come from Europe and are somewhat pre- trained.”