A German shepherd dog has 220 million olfactory sensory cells compared to the 5 million possessed by humans. Since its inception in 1965, the OPP Canine Unit has employed these animals in a variety of ways. We were privileged to hear from one of its handlers and to meet one of its dogs at today’s meeting. Constable Chris Halverson has been with the Ontario Provincial Police for sixteen years and with the Canine Unit since 2010. He has charge of two dogs: General Services Dog (GSD) Briggs, 9 ½ years old, and General Search And Rescue (GSAR) Dog Diesel, 7 years old. GSDs will bite – as a last resort—but GSARs do not bite. Happily, we met Diesel.

 

The dogs are guided by the ―freshest human scent,‖ not by the scent of an article worn or handled by the person being sought. Scent is bacterial and is perishable by contamination, time and environmental elements. Moist, cool, damp weather conditions are best, and hot and dry conditions worst for tracking. Dogs are also trained to look for ground disturbance (i.e., tracks). Handlers must be upbeat at all times since dogs will feel whatever they feel.

 

In photo, Constable Halverson shows the heavy vest he wears in the field, complete with ballistic plate in front and medical pouch for the dog. Dogs are used for tracking (break & enters, stolen vehicles, wanted suspects, lost persons); building clearing; article searches; and drug searches. Specialist dogs are employed to find explosives and gun casings. An Emergency Response Team goes with Chris when the dog is tracking to keep them safe (for example, from traffic hazards). Dogs and handlers are a dedicated team. Const. Chris says: ―This is my life – this is my job.

 

ROTARY HIGH LIFE….Club members were abuzz with the news that the Canadian federal government plans to make marijuana legal by July 1, 2018, but they need no external stimulus to maintain their usual high spirits. President Nancy welcomed Maggie Horn, wife of Bill, as a guest on this dog day afternoon….Harris Bear narrowly escaped injury when Diesel playfully clamped his jaws on him. Though undamaged, H. Bear had to lie down….Next week (April 3), our guest speaker will be David Brady from the London Rotary Club who will speak on HELP HAITI. That will be followed by a Club Board meeting. The following week (April 10), a tour has been laid on at the STEAM Centre (50 Wellington St. in St. Thomas) from 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Lunch will be back at the Wayside. There is no meeting on April 17 (Easter Monday)….The President extended thanks to Ed Willson for constructing a new box to hold Club member badges. Thanks, Ed!

 

Trudy Kanellis found some volunteers to assist the Interact Club at this week’s St. Thomas Home Show, but could use some more, particularly on Saturday afternoon and evening. The Show will run from Friday, March 31 to Sunday April 2 at the St. Thomas Timken Community Centre. Contact Trudy if you can help….Don’t forget to sell those Pony Poopin’ Bingo tickets to support the Interactors as they raise funds for the Children’s Hospital of London. The big event takes place May 6 at From Away Farms, 43 Sunset Drive in St. Thomas.

 

President Nancy announced that three members would be attending Total Team Training in Sarnia this Saturday, April 1….The Rotary Music Festival Keynotes Concert takes place Friday, April 7 at 7 p.m. at the Salvation Army. Admission is by donation….The H20 4 Every! Water event is set for Saturday, April 22 at the Timken Centre from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. President Nancy has pledge sheets for the walk which takes place on the Centre’s indoor track. Proceeds will be directed to Pikangikum, a First Nations community in Northwestern Ontario. The Anglican Church of Canada and the Rotary Club of Toronto are also involved in raising funds for this project….DG Diane Chantler, in her capacity as member of the Railway City Rotary Club, advises that the Club’s Fish Fry is set for May 6. Contact President Nancy if you would like to buy tickets.

 

The Rotary Leadership Institute seminar Parts 1, II and III takes place Saturday, May 6, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at King’s College in London. To pre-register, contact PDG Al Hardy at al@allanhardy.ca by April 28. The Club will pay the $75 registration fee. Contact President Nancy to make this arrangement…. President Nancy was winner of the 50/50 draw. Fine Master Bill Horn offered this wisdom, a proposal of this week’s theme: ―Some days you’re the top dog; some days you’re the hydrant.‖ In the interests of time, Happy Fins were put over till next week.