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Taking Care Of The K-9's That Take Care Of Us

It's up to the human deputies to make sure their K9s are trained, in top shape, and safe in the heat

FORSYTH COUNTY, N.C. -- One picture is getting a lot of attention.

It shows a K-9 handler with the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office carrying his dog on his shoulders, because of heat exhaustion.

The picture shows the comradery and commitment of officers, but it also shows the dangers the dogs can face.

It's up to the human deputies to make sure their K9s are trained, in top shape, and safe in the heat.

Training Thursday is something the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office K-9 Unit does every week.

"It's very important, not only to my safety but just like us he is here to serve the community that we work for. If I don't keep him in tiptop shape, there may be a dangerous criminal that we are trying to track down and if I don't take proper care of him he may not be able to apprehend him," said Sgt. Seth Carter.

On Thursday the dogs do drills of all kinds.

Searches, obedience, and Narcotics.

All this work and exercise in the heat can take a toll on K-9's.

"A dogs normal temperature ranges anywhere from 99.5 to 102.5 and when they get done working for any specific task their body temperature can go all the way up to 107.5," said Deputy Ryan Rae, who is also a K-9 trainer.

"We have to watch the indicators on them in case they are getting too hot. Tongue coming too far out, getting to dry," said Sgt. Carter.

The department's new cruisers even have a feature where if it gets too hot, the car's windows will roll down, the lights will come on, and an alarm will go off.

That's just an added measure to make sure the K-9's are always safe.

For the deputies, these dogs are their partners and they'd do anything for their four legged best friends, and vice versa.

"You know that dogs got your back no matter what. He's not worried about anything but taking care of you. It's something amazing to work with every day," said Sgt. Carter.

"Most of the time we're spending more time with our dogs, our partners that we are with our families," said Deputy Rae.

Today's training is key to making sure the dogs can take care of their partners, and protect us if needed.

It lets them train for real-life situations, plus get used to this heat!

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