The news site of Miami Palmetto Senior High School

The Panther
The news site of Miami Palmetto Senior High School

The Panther
The news site of Miami Palmetto Senior High School

The Panther
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PHOTOGALLERY: K-9 Unit Visits MPSH

Brooke Wilensky and Jake Hawkins
December 14, 2023
On Thursday, Dec. 7, two Miami-Dade County Canine Officers and their dogs came to Miami Palmetto Senior High to teach AP Psychology students about conditioning, and AP Comparative Government students about civil liberties. Behind the science wing, students had the opportunity to learn and interact with Canine Thor and Canine Mako. “I have a two-year-old Golden Retriever and he searches for bombs. We also have two gun dogs which are both Belgium Mountain dogs and my partner over here [has] a narcotics dog, a Black lab,” Officer T. Wright said. At the presentation, students met a dog that specializes in explosives and one who specializes in narcotics.
Working in the K-9 unit requires a lot of commitment and patience. After two-and-a-half years of working for the agency, officers are allowed to apply for a position in the coveted K-9 unit. After a lengthy application process, officers receive their partner in the form of a furry four-legged animal. “Being in canine, it’s not a job and it’s not just a unit. It’s a lifestyle. Our job does not end the minute we clock out,” Officer B. Bermudez said. The officers are with their dogs almost 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
During the presentation, students were able to see how much training went into the K-9 unit. When White would throw the toy and instruct Thor to stay still, unlike most dogs, Thor did just that. “Everything has to have structure, the dogs can’t just do whatever they want because if they do whatever they want, you start losing that focus that they have,” White said. This is essential to the job because the dogs need to respond to commands effectively for safety reasons and to get the job done.
In the K-9 unit, the dogs live with their respective officers full-time, becoming both a pet and partner-in-crime. “Being a canine officer is very rewarding. I would argue that it’s one of the best specialty units you can be in at a police department because you’re never alone. You always have somebody that cares about you in the back of the car,” White said.

 

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About the Contributors
Brooke Wilensky
Brooke Wilensky, Print Editor-In-Chief
Brooke Wilensky is a Senior and the Print Editor in Chief. This is her third year on staff, and she looks to improve her writing and The Panther’s print issues. Aside from newspaper, Brooke enjoys reading, traveling and spending time with her friends.
Jake Hawkins
Jake Hawkins, Contents Editor
Jake Hawkins is a senior and Contents Editor. This is his third year on staff, and he looks forward to producing an entertaining section. Aside from newspaper, Hawkins enjoys playing lacrosse for the Palmetto team.