The North American Police Work Dog Association strives to enhance the use of police working dogs by law enforcement agencies through continuing education in the form of local, state and national workshops, held periodically throughout the year.
Each year during the annual North American Police Work Dog certification seminar, KVD (Koninklijke Vereniging Diensthonden) Royal Association of Service Dogs, Wellen, Belgium, conducts a competition (following the actual team recertificaton process) among the attending canine teams. The competition grades and gauges how both the dog and handler work together, as well as control, agility, courage, aggression control, tactics, and obedience.
This year, K-9 Officer Bruce Holcomb and his partner K9 BUDDY were one of Thirty-Five (35) teams who attended the Florida recertification workshop held in Titusville, FL. K-9 Officer Holcomb and Buddy received the highest honor. They were awarded 1st Place Team (1st Place Handler and 1st Place K9) from the KVD (Koninklijke Vereniging Diensthonden) Royal Association of Service Dogs, Wellen, Belgium. This accomplishment exemplifies the dedication and hard work that is required daily to ensure that both the canine and handler perform at their best.
This is the second year in a row that one of our K9 teams took the top honor at the recertification venue/competition.
Congratulations Bruce & K-9 Buddy!