OGDEN, Utah -- A new training center in Ogden not only provides trained K9s to police, but it also works with aggressive dogs to keep them from being put down.
Jeremy Varela owns Right Hand K-9 in Ogden, and he spoke about the services they offer.
“We’ve had a lot of success rate in helping dogs that have bitten children, bit family members, as well as other people in the public,” he said. “Or they’re aggressive towards their food or something of that nature.”
Varela said he believes all dogs deserve a second chance. Trainers work with Ogden Animal Control and families to rescue dogs that wouldn't normally have a lot of options, especially if they're known to bite people or other animals.
The facility is unique because they also train and sell K9s to law enforcement agencies.
“We have extremely stable dogs, you know, high quality, high drive dogs that can do the job,” Varela said. “These aren’t your pets at home. These are dogs that we import from overseas, and really top of the line dogs.”
The facility is well known for its high quality K9s, and agencies from out of state frequently stop by to check it out.
Bob Day, a K9 trainer from the Aurora Police Department in Colorado, spoke about their interactions with Right Hand K-9.
“Yeah, we can get here in eight, eight and a half hours,” he said. “The next day we test dogs, and the next day we're home again, so it saves us on our budget also.”
Local agencies said they're lucky to have this kind of facility in their own backyard, especially one that offers training on everything from narcotics and bomb detection, to taking down a suspect.
“It’s very good training, and it’s so close it’s unreal, we've never had anything like this,” said Philip Zieseniss, a deputy sheriff for the Box Elder County Sheriff’s Office.
K9 units often save police time and money because they can search so much faster, but officers say you can't put a price on companionship.
“For me, and even for my family at home, they value that immensely,” said Clay Hooley, who is a K9 officer with the Spanish Fork Police Department. “Like I said, it's like a full-time partner that never leaves your side, is courageous, he's got your back, extra set of eyes, extra nose, everything.”
Day also spoke about the value K9 units offer.
“The dogs always make us look good,” he said. “So it’s always, the dogs are the ones who are the stars of the show.”
Right Hand K-9 trains dogs for multiple agencies, including fire departments, search and rescue, and the military.
Civilians can also bring a furry pal home to serve as a guard dog.
For more information about Right Hand K-9, visit their website.
