Megan, Dundy and Fergus.
Provided to the LVN
Dear reader, I don’t know about you but I get so many spam emails from unknown senders and loan sharks that I have gotten into the habit of ignoring and deleting them. Having not ordered anything, I expected the recent UPS alert to be bogus until a package arrived.
What a surprise and delight it was when I opened it to find a coloring book titled “Dogs with Jobs” by Sarah Kelly. I had no idea who had sent it until I spotted Dundy and Fergus who are Megan (Munoz) Kendall’s beloved K9 Search and Rescue dogs.
Megan, a graduate of CCHS, class of 2002, is an incredible young woman who has been active in the Indiana K9 Search and Recovery for more than a decade. She works closely with the police in investigations into missing persons and spends a great deal of time training her BFF’s for service.
The volunteer search unit is used free of charge by law enforcement in the Midwest where Megan resides. Her unit trains 150 hours a year, which is three Saturdays a month. Certifying a canine in Human Remains Detection and Live Find usually takes two years of training but may take longer depending on the dog.
HRD canines detect the scent left by human remains and decomposition. They can differentiate between human and animal remains. They also assist in wilderness, water and disaster situations. Live Find is when dogs search for missing persons by using an article of clothing to establish the scent. Normally the family will request this service.
The training for HRD and Live Find is extremely rigorous and demanding for both dog and handler. There are many phases of the training, and each one takes months or years for mastery. The dog and trainer must work as a unit, with each one understanding the other’s expectations.
Fergus and Dundy are certified working dogs and they enjoy their jobs. Kudos to Megan for her dedication to training her BFF’s for community service and letting us know about “Dogs with Jobs.”
ATTENTION
Bark in the Park is June 6 and 7. The 5K run will take place on June 6 at 7 p.m. Vendors: we have 10 x 10 sized booths and there is no charge for nonprofit groups. Call 775-423-7500 or email us at bitp@capsnevada.org.
Reno Aces are collaborating with CAPS for a fun day of baseball plus a free hat details at fevo-enterprise.com/event/Churchillanimal8
LOOKING FOR A HOME
• Help! Before April 28, we urgently need folks to foster dogs while we replace our kennel floors. We have no place to kennel our guests during this phase of construction. We have several dogs in need of temporary shelter. Please call at 775-423-7500 if you can help.
• We have one adorable Dalmatian/mix puppy who is seven months old.
• We will soon have the cat room up and running. You can check out our cats on the CAPS website (capsnevada.org).
IN NEED OF
• Volunteers to walk dogs, socialize cats, and other shelter tasks. You can apply on our website capsnevada.org/apply-to-volunteer or call 775-423-7500.
• Dog food treats to put in Kongs, duck jerky, bleach, dish soap, paper towels, toilet paper, and printer paper.
• Monetary donations to help with vet costs, operations, and other shelter necessities.
• Aluminum cans. Please drop them off at CAPS.
SHOUT OUT TO
Wixson and Amazon for selecting CAPS as one of their chosen organizations to donate items to this quarter. All tails are wagging for you!
The Reno Aces for supporting CAPS. Bow Wow to you!
COME SEE US
CAPS is open to the public on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. CAPS is located at 5894 Pasture Road. We suggest appointments for adoptions and food pantry.
DON’T FORGET
• April Holiday: National Scoop the Poop Week.
• Board meetings are once a month on the second Tuesday, at 5:30 in room 102 at the County Offices located on Taylor Street. Our next meeting is May 13.
• CAPS’ mailing address is P.O. Box 5128, Fallon, NV 89407. CAPS’ phone number is 775-423-7500. CAPS’ email address is caps@cccomm.net. Please visit the CAPS website (www.capsnevada.org) and Facebook page CAPS-Fallon. Be sure to “Like” CAPS on Facebook because we are likeable.
Kathleen Williams-Miller is a CAPS volunteer. Email jkwmil@outlook.com.