Brown County Vest-a-Dog Program
Bay East Animal Hospital has been working with the Brown County K-9 Unit since the year 2000 to provide heath care, vaccinations and a program we designed called "Vest-a-Dog." Each year we put together a fundraiser to raise money for the care of the K-9 Unit and to purchase items that will benefit the dogs and their handlers.
For three years we offered our clients and the community a "Dog Wash." Owners were able to purchase a "wash" and have Bay East Staff members and volunteers bathe the dogs and give a thorough brushing. At each dog wash we offered:
- Bake sale- treats for clients and dogs!
- Auction- items from local businesses were auctioned off
- Autographs from a Green Bay Packer Player- Kabeer Gbaja Biamila
- Dunk a Doctor- two of our Doctors volunteered to be "sitting ducks" in a dunk tank
- Demonstrations from the K-9 Unit were performed to show off their speed and precision when apprehending a "criminal." This was also a good time for the public to meet with the Officers and to get some insight on how the K-9 Unit patrols on a daily basis.
Since the summer of 2005, Bay East Animal Hospital has displayed the biographies of each Officer and their Canine. We held an "in clinic" fundraiser called "Bones and Badges for K-9 Officers." Each badge and bone was available to be purchased for $1 and displayed in our lobby. With great success, we continued the donation collection and with each clients $5 donation they now receive a Vest-A-Dog car magnet to display proudly.
Since the year 2000 our fundraisers have raised in excess of $16,000-with expenditures of roughly $13,000. Each dog and their handler have received the following benefits from the Bay East efforts:
- Vests for the K-9's
- Training equipment
- Vehicle inserts
- Dog food (for high energy dogs)
The Vest-a-Dog program is an on-going fundraiser for the K-9 unit. Clients and the community are able to send donations to Bay East Animal Hospital in care of: Vest-a-Dog Program.
The Dogs
Tim has been a Police Officer for 15 years and a K-9 Officer for eight years. Bugsy is a 4-year-old German Shepherd and is certified in explosive detection and patrol. Bugsy was given his name prior to Tim getting him, and was named after one of the "greatest gangsters" of all time! Bugsy and Tim train monthly with the other K-9 teams, in addition to daily on and off duty training. He also works very hard at home, doing a lot of running in the yard with his K-9 family, Buck and Tucker. Tim's former K-9 partner, Rocky, and Bugsy do not get a long so well, making play time nearly impossible with the two of them.
Joe has been a Police Officer for 11 years and a K-9 Handler for almost three years. Castro is a 4-year old German Shepherd who was given his name while living in Germany. He is certified in Narcotic Detection and Patrol, such as: tracking, searching buildings, area searches and apprehensions. Joe trains Castro twice a month with the other K-9 units in addition to other on-duty training. While away from work, Castro loves to play fetch on his days off; the bigger the ball the more he plays!
Trevor has been a Police Officer for 5 years and a K-9 Handler for nearly one year. Lando is a 2 1/2 -year-old German Shepherd and is currently certified in narcotics and patrol. Trevor trains Lando approximately 5-10 hours per week while at home and work. Prior to Trevor taking Lando on as his partner, Lando was given his name at "home" in Germany. On his days off Lando enjoys playing in the family pool and laying around in the yard.
