

Town Crier File Photo

Lord, the Los Altos Police Department’s K-9, is scheduled to meet the public May 21 to fundraise for the Police & Working K-9 Foundation.



Lord is equipped.

The Los Altos Police Department’s K-9 has a bulletproof vest, car heat-alert system and trauma kit. His handler, Officer Julie Tannock, said the equipment protects them both – as well as the public. She’s used the K-9 trauma kit, for instance, on people requiring immediate medical attention.

“It has anything we could need before getting to the doctor or vet,” she said. “I’m lucky to work for a city that takes care of its dogs.”

Not all pups are so fortunate, and that’s where the Police & Working K-9 Foundation comes in. The nonprofit organization’s “Cover Your K-9” project provides lifesaving equipment for California police and working dogs. To raise funds for other working animals, Lord will have his day during a meet-and-greet 2:30-4:30 p.m. May 21 at the plaza outside Enchanté Boutique Hotel, 1 Main St.

“It’s one way to use our community plaza to have positive events,” said hotelier Abigail Ahrens.

The family-friendly fundraiser will feature photos with Lord and handouts of free police trading cards, giveaways from Petco, donation incentives at downtown’s Posh Pooch Portraits and advice from Fuzzy-Wolf canine behaviorist Jimi Dixon. Organizers request that it be a people-only event.

During Lord’s day, Tannock will address the German shepherd’s initial and ongoing training as a public servant. She explained that K-9s are “locating tools” to track people, drugs and bombs.

“They’re not attack dogs,” she said. “We use their noses to help us do our jobs.”

Lord is now 9 years old. Tannock anticipates that he’ll be on the job for another couple of years. Once he retires, Tannock as handler will be responsible for his medical bills. The Police & Working K-9 Foundation has that covered, too, with $1,000 toward emergency medical care for retired dogs.

For more information on the Police & Working K-9 Foundation, visit coveryourk9.com.

For more information on the meet-and-greet event, call Enchanté Boutique Hotel at 946-2000.