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The retirement of Accelerant Detection Canine, Deacon, left a void in the Arson/Explosive Section that has recently been filled by the addition of a new dog, Wilowa, Lolo for short. Lolo is a two-year old Golden Lab who recently received her training that Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms facility in Virginia. Also new at the job is her handler, Detective Tom Hatch.
Detective Hatch is a ten-year member of the Department and has been in the Portland Patrol Office since 1993. Whenm Deacon's handler, Detective Mark Merrill, decided not to take on the responsibility of another dog for the section, Tom acted on his long held interest in the Arson/Explosives dog handler position by applying for the job.
Detective Hatch prepared himself in the hope that a position would open up in the Section by taking the initiative to attend training sessions on arson investigation and dog handling. Equally important to the decision to hire Detective Hatch was his dog handling experience. His background includes competition in several amateur dog obedience shows and hunting/field trials.
Detective Hatch expressed his pleasure t having had Lolo assigned to him at the school. He reports that he had requested a "hard-headed" dog because he felt that such a dog would have more stamina. Apparently he got his wish. By all reports, Lolo is hard-headed and strong - she loves to play, but don't take her Frisbee or you'll have her on your case, which some of the bigger dogs at the training discovered. She was initially intended as a hearing impaired dog before moving into the field of accelerant detection. It hasn't been reported as to why she left the hearing-impaired program; however, she has already proved her ability as an accelerant dog by acing her first certification testing held at the end of her training program. Her new handler reports that Lolo loves kids and people, in general, and that they already get along famously having gotten to know each other very well at the five-week training program.
Detective Hatch is looking forward to their first opportunity to "prove their stuff." He is confident that, with experience, Lolo will be able to live up to the high standards set by Deacon. Like their predecessors, Lolo and Detective Hatch will be located in the Portland OSP offices. If you are up their way, please stop in and say hello.
Editor's Note: Accelerant Detection Canine Wiloa retired in April of 2006 and is enjoying her retirement very much. Especially the part about getting to eat with her family now.
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