Following a $12,000 donation from Gwinnett County resident Kathy Gestar, the Gwinnett County Police Department will add a Belgian Malinois, named Elsa, to K9 unit following training.
Earlier this year, Gwinnett County Police Chief, Butch Ayers, received a letter from Gestar stating that she wished to donate funds to support the department's K9 Unit.
"Moved by the need for additional dogs and equipment, I founded the Cody Fund, named after my beloved Sheltie that passed away in 2008, to support police K9 units in Gwinnett County," she wrote.
Gestar also stated in the letter that she would be donating $12,000 toward the purchase and training of a new K9 leading to the acquisition of Elsa, a Belgian Malinois, who has been assigned to Officer Dan Larsen as her handler. The two have already begun training at the Tarheel Canine Training in Sanford, NC. Elsa's first shift will likely be in February.
The GCPD now will have 9 dogs in their K9 Unit, each assigned to their officer handler. Public Information Officer for the GCPD, Cpl. Michelle Pihera, says the relationship between the handler and the dog is more than just a work partnership.
"They are with each other 24/7. When they are on duty, it is the dog's job to protect the officer along with narcotics and suspect apprehension. In some of our homes that have a police K9, the dogs will fully integrate with the handler's family, but in some cases they are not as social and are isolated from other pets. It is a case by case scenario," Pihera said.
In most cases however, these dogs will spend their retirement with their human partners and their families and Pihera says the bond between Officer Larsen and Elsa is undeniable.
On Wednesday, December 7, Chief Ayers, Major Strickland, and the K9 Unit presented Ms. Gestar with a framed photo of Elsa and gave personal appreciation for her generous donation. The event took place at the Rotary Club at the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce.
