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PHOTOGALLERY: K-9 Unit Visits MPSH

Brooke Wilensky and Jake Hawkins

December 14, 2023

On Thursday, Dec. 7, two Miami-Dade County Canine Officers and their dogs came to Miami Palmetto Senior High to teach AP Psychology students about conditioning, and AP Comparative Government students about civil liberties. Behind the science wing, students had the opportunity to learn and interact with Canine Thor and Canine Mako. “I have a two-year-old Golden Retriever and he searches for bombs. We also have two gun dogs which are both Belgium Mountain dogs and my partner over here [has] a narcotics dog, a Black lab,” Officer T. Wright said. At the presentation, students met a dog that specializes in explosives and one who specializes in narcotics.

Working in the K-9 unit requires a lot of commitment and patience. After two-and-a-half years of working for the agency, officers are allowed to apply for a position in the coveted K-9 unit. After a lengthy application process, officers receive their partner in the form of a furry four-legged animal. “Being in canine, it’s not a job and it’s not just a unit. It’s a lifestyle. Our job does not end the minute we clock out,” Officer B. Bermudez said. The officers are with their dogs almost 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

During the presentation, students were able to see how much training went into the K-9 unit. When White would throw the toy and instruct Thor to stay still, unlike most dogs, Thor did just that. “Everything has to have structure, the dogs can’t just do whatever they want because if they do whatever they want, you start losing that focus that they have,” White said. This is essential to the job because the dogs need to respond to commands effectively for safety reasons and to get the job done.

In the K-9 unit, the dogs live with their respective officers full-time, becoming both a pet and partner-in-crime. “Being a canine officer is very rewarding. I would argue that it’s one of the best specialty units you can be in at a police department because you’re never alone. You always have somebody that cares about you in the back of the car,” White said.

About the Contributors

Brooke Wilensky, Opinion Editor

Brooke Wilensky is a junior and Opinion Editor. This is her second year on staff, and she looks to improve her writing and expand The Panther’s opinion section. Aside from newspaper, Wilensky enjoys listening to music, traveling and spending time with her friends.

Jake Hawkins, Multimedia Photo Editor

Jake Hawkins is a junior and Multimedia Photo Editor. This is his second year on staff, and he looks forward to capturing incredible shots at sports games and other events happening around him. Aside from newspaper, Hawkins enjoys sports, music, films and being with his friends.