Carson City Sheriff’s debut K-9 unit T-shirts

The Carson City Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit has a new look, thanks to one Carson High senior.

Alexandra Sprock is responsible for the new design for the K9 unit’s T-shirts, which the department is selling to raise money for their dogs.

“It is pretty cool that I won,” Sprock said. “I was trying to think of what was cool and what the cops would like on their shirts.”

Sprock said it took her a few days to think of the design and finalize her idea. She said she went through about five rough drafts before deciding on the final product.

The four K9 deputies, along with unit Sgt. Craig Lowe, Sheriff Ken Furlong and patrol Captain Jeff Melvin, presented Sprock and second place winner Samantha Ramirez, with their prizes during a small ceremony at Carson High School Monday morning. Both girls received a free T-shirt and a K9 challenge coin, and Sprock also received a gift card to Hobby Lobby.

The unit created the contest for Mike Malley and John Martin’s Ceramics and art classes at the high school, and nearly 50 students submitted a design for the T-shirts. The two teachers narrowed it down and presented the four K9 handlers with about 20 options, and the four deputies chose their favorite two from there. The top two designs were presented on their Facebook page, and the public voted on their favorite.

“I think the design is awesome,” said K9 Deputy Darrin Riggin. “As handlers we picked our two favorites and then put it on Facebook and let the people decide which was their favorite because it was important for them to like it too, since they are the ones buying the shirts so we wanted them to have a say in the process.”

The unit wanted to open the contest up to the high school students so they could continue to work towards a better relationships with the students and community.

“We chose the high school students as the designers because it met the goal of community involvement, but with the added benefit of generating a positive relationship and interaction with our young people as well,” Riggin said.

The shirts are part of the K9 unit’s fundraiser to help buy more and better equipment for the dogs. Because of budgetary restraints, the unit isn’t always able to buy all of the equipment needed for the dogs and rely heavily on community donations.

“In today’s economy, budgetary dollars don’t cover everything these dogs need,” said K9 Deputy Brett Bindley. “The K9 unit loves that the community is willing to support our investment in the dogs.”

Special equipment that’s needed for the dogs include the K9 kennel insert that’s put into the patrol cars that makes the backseat comfortable for the dog and doesn’t ruin the car, heat alarms for the cars, training and other tactical needs.

The design comes in white or black, with a T-shirt of tank top option and runs sizes small through 2XL for $20. To purchase a T-shirt or donate money, visit the Sheriff’s Office on 911 E. Musser Street or contact the department at 775-887-2500.