By Emma Hoyt

Everyone knows the saying, ‘A dog is a man’s best friend’ and QU will be exhibiting an exceptional bond between a K-9 and its officer on Thursday, April 25 at 10 a.m. on Friar’s Field.

Hosted by the QU Criminal Justice Society and Department, as well as the QU Admissions Office, Dog Days is a great opportunity for students, staff and the public to get an inside look at K-9 law enforcement.

Law enforcement from around the city, county, and state will be on site (QU’s Friars Field – just east of Francis Hall) with several of the region’s most skilled K-9 units for an educational and interactive skills exhibition.

Assistant Professor Judy Abbott loves showing students, staff and the public what local law enforcement can do.

“Students need to see various careers in law enforcement, K-9 just being one of them. They also need to see the kind of training these K-9 officers go through, and the kind of things that the dogs can do,” Abbott said.

Abbott is excited for students who will get an inside look at what these dogs can really do.

“The officer gives students a chance to get into the bite suit, and be taken down by a dog, It’ll help anyone that gets themselves in the situation where a K-9 is involved, they’ll choose not to run,” Abbott said.

Flyers, like the one below, have been posted around campus to encourage students and staff to attend.

Director of Admissions Brittany Ellerman says that QU students aren’t the only ones that get to take advantage of this event, the public and students from local schools will be in attendance.

“The Admissions office invited prospective students interested in certain majors – like criminal justice and forensics. We also invited undeclared students to the event,” Ellerman said.

“We’ll be bussing students from Quincy Senior High School and 6 through 8th graders from St. Francis out to main campus for the event and to get a quick view of campus. It’s a great way for them to get acclimated with campus – they’ll participate in Dog Days and receive a tour of the mock trial room,” Ellerman said.

K-9 Officers are extremely valuable to many departments all over the world.

“MANY EVALUATIONS HAVE PROVIDED STRONG EVIDENCE THAT DOGS CAN BE OF INVALUABLE SERVICE IN POLICE WORK. EXAMPLES OF THE DIFFERENT SITUATIONS IN WHICH DOGS CAN BE UTILIZED INCLUDE: (1) AS PSYCHOLOGICAL DETERRENTS, EXERTING A POWERFUL RESTRAINT UPON LAWBREAKERS BY THEIR PRESENCE; (2) THE SEARCHING OF BUILDINGS OR AREAS, EMPLOYING THE KEEN SENSE OF SMELL FOR SEARCHING OUT CRIMINALS; (3) IN DEFENDING THEIR HANDLERS AGAINST ATTACK”.

Journal of Police Science and Administration – Benefits of a Canine Squad

After a visit with Officer MichaelTyler and his K-9 Kilo, with the Quincy Police Department, it was clear that the bond between a dog and his officer is inseparable.

Officer Tyler and Kilo have spent the last six years with the K-9 Unit within the Quincy Police Department.

Kilo, a 9-year-old Belgian Malinois/Dutch Shepard Mix, is highly qualified and attended the Illinois State Police K9 Academy. Kilo is trained in drug detection, tracking, evidence recovery and apprehension.

“Kilo and I will both be at the Dog Days event at QU and we’re excited to show everyone what we can do,” Tyler said.

Anyone interested in attending should fill out a registration form for the Admissions office.