b'reality sound bites.GAINESVILLEPolice Dog Grants.the Gainesville Police Department. Both which can break the ice during tense situ-dogs were donated through a grant pro- ations such as classroom drug sweeps.gramofferedbyUniversalK9ofSan Overthelasttwoyears,CrofthasAntonio, Texas.trained 200 rescue dogs, many of whichZoeys handler, Sgt. Nigel Lowe, had hadbeenpreviouslyscheduledforworked with other police dogs not trained euthanasia at shelters. Zoey was rescuedfor friendly interaction with people. Zoeys within hours of facing that lethal needle,said Croft. And so far, she has been one ofour best performers.Croftbelieveseverypolicedepart-ment should have a K9 in the ranks. Forcertain investigations or raids, their help islike no other, literally sniffing out crimewhere human officers fail to, he said.Do you know of a police departmentAlachua County likes to do things a little thatwantstoaddaK9?UniversalK9sdifferentlywhenitcomestohiring Police Dog Grant provides the opportuni-police K9s. The Alachua Sheriffs Office ty to do so without spending tens of thou-andtheGainesvillePoliceDepartment sands of dollars. The dog will be healthy,each have a rescue dog, specially-trained as young and come with all shots and healthdrug-sniffing dogs. Typically, police agen- records.ciesimportspecially-bredGerman All these dogs need is a chance toShepherd or Belgian Malinois dogs from prove themselves. Theyll work every bit asEurope,costingpolicedepartments hard as the purebred dogs brought in fromupwards of $20,000 per dog. Sometimes, overseas, said Croft. Uthose dogs dont perform as advertised. BradCroftofUniversalK9,said, (Above left): Brad Croft, Universal K9 holds Jet.Any dog can do this type of work. Its not (Above right): Sgt. Nigel Lowe, Alachua Sheriffs To learn more about thethe breed of the dog. Its the will of the Office and Zoey.Police Dog Grant program,dog. temperament,however,isperfectfor visit UniversalK9Inc.comZoey, a Black Mouth Cur mix, works Lowes current role as a supervisor over or call Brad Croft at 210.858.6830.forthe AlachuaCountySheriffsOffice ASOsschoolresourcedeputyprogram.and Jet, a black Labrador Retriever, is with Sheistrainedtoallowkidstopether,WESLEYCHAPELTaking The Leash With Rotary. Air Animal Inc. recently sponsored a new dog park in theirhometownof TampathroughtheRotaryClubofNewTampa and the City of Tampa.Walter Woolf, VMD, Air Animals founder, is a member ofthe Interbay Rotary Club of Tampa and supports many com-munity causes including his clubs Ride for Autism and theHumane Society of Tampa Bay.Before the New Tampa Rotary Dog Park opened May2, residents had to drive 45 minutes or more to take theirpooches to off-leash parks. Dog parks are perfect playgroundsfor pets who are licensed and immunized. We jumped at thechance to invest in this amenity for Tampa, Dr. Woolf said.The New Tampa Rotary Dog Park features lots of trees,water fountains for pets and people, seating areas, sanitationstations and separate areas for large and small dogs. UAir Animal Inc. has served pet owners all over the world sinceTampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn and a Wesley Chapel resident at the ribbon 1977 and is recognized as a premier pet mover. AirAnimal.comcutting of New Tampa Rotary Dog Park.20 THE NEW BARKER www.TheNewBarker.com'