K-9 Training Agility Course Constructed

COURT HOUSE – A new K-9 training agility course was built next to the Cape May County Sheriff’s Office K-9 building Thur., April 19 by a team of volunteers from Home Depot.
“After a lot of hard work by the members of our Sheriff’s K-9 Unit and the local Cape May Court House Home Depot Store, the Cape May County Sheriff’s K-9 Unit was selected for a “Home Depot Build” as part of Home Depot’s community give back program. Home Depot supplied the materials and volunteers to construct this training agility course.,” said Sheriff Gary Schaffer.
The material and equipment was supplied for free of charge and volunteers were Home Depot employees from stores located in Cape May Court House, Egg Harbor, Absecon, Vineland and Washington Township. The volunteers spent the day building and setting up the K-9 agility course which includes six search boxes, six hurdles, a six foot A-frame, a six foot cat walk, and low crawl and broad jump obstacles. The course was built to United States Police Canine Association specifications.
“I am absolutely thrilled about this project and the cooperation we are getting from Home Depot. Our officers will be using the agility course to keep their canine partners in top physical condition and simulate obstacles that they could encounter on a daily basis. I look forward to the possibility of hosting regional competitions with the USPCA and partnering with our local police academy to bring the best K-9 training available to this area,” said Schaffer.
The county Sheriff’s Office has revitalized the K-9 Unit and will have the 4th K-9 Officer and patrol dog graduating from the Atlantic County Police K-9 Academy in May. The local towns and police departments have already benefited from the increased ability to provide more K-9 assistance and the presence of our officers on their streets.
Last year the Sheriff’s Office obtained a $50,000 grant to add a vehicle and K-9 team to our unit. The K-9 Unit has increased patrol dogs from one to four; with all being crossed trained in either narcotics or explosives. The Sheriff’s Office continues to have two trained bloodhounds used for search and rescue and an accelerant detection dog.
Schaffer added, “We have reduced the number of canines in our unit from a high of 13 to presently having 8 dogs. We can definitely provide more services with the additional patrol dogs. We have crossed trained the dogs in various scent detections, while at the same time reduced the maintenance costs of food, training and medical with less dogs. I am extremely proud of our K-9 Officers and their partners and the dedication they have to the community.”
The Sheriff’s Office would like to express gratitude to Home Depot, especially the local Cape May Court House store that was in the forefront in making the project happen. They would also like to thank Jersey Shore Party Rentals from Woodbine, Cape May County Dog Obedience Club, Court House Acme, Court House Pizza, the local FOP and PBA Unions who helped supply the equipment, food and drink for all the volunteers during the day.