Working dog competition tests K9's noses

Published Sept. 11, 2007
By Corey Dahl
21st Space Wing Public Affairs

PETERSON AFB, Colo. -- Police dogs and their human counterparts converged on Peterson Sept. 7, but they weren't here for an emergency - just some friendly competition.

Seven canine teams gathered at Hangar 119 for an afternoon of explosives detection, part of the fourth annual Rocky Mountain Canine Trials. Organized by the U.S. Air Force Academy, the two-day event pitted roughly 20 dog teams against each other to compete for titles in areas such as drug detection, handler protection and speed.

Drawing agencies from the Colorado Springs area and up and down the Front Range, including units from the Department of Homeland Security, the Florence and Pueblo police departments and Buckley Air Force Base, the competition serves mostly as a morale booster for the handlers and their canines.

"It's a camaraderie thing," said Staff Sgt. Jonathan Geren, a dog trainer at the Academy who helped organize the event. "It just gets all of the dogs from the area together to show their abilities."

This year's competition was the first to hold events at Peterson. Normally a one-day event held completely at the Air Force Academy, the competition expanded to two days this year with portions of the contest held at the Colorado Springs Airport and Peterson Air Force Base on Sept. 7. The competition then wrapped up at the Air Force Academy Sept. 8.

"Before, we were racing to get everything done in one day," said Staff Sgt. Todge Smith, a canine handler at the Academy. "Breaking it up gives all of the participating Colorado Springs agencies a little piece of the pie and it helped spread the competition out a little bit."

While teams who participated in the contest didn't receive any trophies or qualify to move up to state or national contests, canines and their handlers who placed in the competition received certificates and - more importantly, handlers say - an ego boost.

"It's mostly about the bragging rights," said Colorado Springs police officer Robert Strader. "You know - my dog is better than your dog. That sort of thing."

Dog competition results
Top bomb dog (bomb only)
1st - Wayne Strader and Rex/Colorado Springs Police Department
2nd - Brian Williamson and Cinta/Department of Homeland Security
3rd - Bill Owen and Bobby/CSPD

Top drug dog (drug only)
1st - Luis Saiz and Taz/Department of Corrections
2nd - John Rogers and Brandy/DOC

Top dog (patrol)
1st - Staff Sgt. Anthony Davis and Chaky/Peterson AFB
2nd - Staff Sgt. Dustin Webster and Rocky/U.S. Air Force Academy
3rd - Terry Brown and Hans/DOC

Building search
1st - Terry Brown and Hans/DOC
2nd - Staff Sgt. Anthony Davis and Chaky/PAFB
3rd - Senior Airman Gary Resta and Aghbar/USAFA

Obedience/obedience course
1st - Staff Sgt. Anthony Davis and Chaky/PAFB
2nd - Staff Sgt. Dustin Webster and Rocky/USAFA
3rd - Senior Airman Gary Resta and Aghbar/USAFA

Area search
1st - Staff Sgt. Scott Roberts and Paki/PAFB
2nd - Staff Sgt. Dustin Webster and Rocky/USAFA
3rd - Terry Brown and Hans/DOC

Handler protection
1st - Senior Airman Ron Harden and Arno/Buckley AFB
2nd - Sgt. Michael Cooley and Dasty/Fort Carson
3rd - Staff Sgt. Dustin Webster and Rocky/USAFA

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