| Columbia County Sheriff's Office |
David W. Harrison, Jr., SHERIFF James R. Sweet, UNDERSHERIFF
| Copyright ©2006 Columbia County Sheriff's Office, Hudson, NY 12534 |
SHERIFF’S K-9 UNITS COMPLETE AUTISM TRAINING
February 19, 2008
Columbia County, NY Sheriff David W. Harrison, Jr. reports that both Sheriff’s Office K-9 Units have now
completed Autism Awareness for First Responders training.
K-9 Handler Deputy Sheriff Heath Benansky and his partner Nico were the first to complete the training in
December of 2007 and this past month, Deputy Sheriff Chad Shufelt and his partner Andi also completed the
training. The training was conducted in Latham and North Greenbush and was open to all emergency services
agencies with speakers from as far away as Florida and Autism information from national organizations such as
the American Autism Society.
Sheriff Harrison, the K-9 Handlers and Law Enforcement Division Commander Captain David Bartlett, felt the
additional training regarding Autism is important. He said that in 2007, K-9 Units were called to two locations
where Autistic people, (one adult/one child), walked away from a residence and into the woods. He said that in
both situations the individuals were located uninjured by the K-9s.
The Sheriff said that being familiar with how an Autistic person may react to certain situations and the potential
communication difficulties involved can give the K-9 Units a better chance to locate them, and then interact with
them so as to keep their anxiety level as low as possible while building a level of confidence and comfort.
Both K-9 Units, who received their initial training by the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office in Syracuse, are also
trained in handler protection, tracking, and drug detection. Sheriff Harrison said that the abilities of the dogs while
working with their Deputy Sheriff partners, give law enforcement a considerable public safety benefit in many
areas. They are an important part of what we do.
February 19, 2008
Columbia County, NY Sheriff David W. Harrison, Jr. reports that both Sheriff’s Office K-9 Units have now
completed Autism Awareness for First Responders training.
K-9 Handler Deputy Sheriff Heath Benansky and his partner Nico were the first to complete the training in
December of 2007 and this past month, Deputy Sheriff Chad Shufelt and his partner Andi also completed the
training. The training was conducted in Latham and North Greenbush and was open to all emergency services
agencies with speakers from as far away as Florida and Autism information from national organizations such as
the American Autism Society.
Sheriff Harrison, the K-9 Handlers and Law Enforcement Division Commander Captain David Bartlett, felt the
additional training regarding Autism is important. He said that in 2007, K-9 Units were called to two locations
where Autistic people, (one adult/one child), walked away from a residence and into the woods. He said that in
both situations the individuals were located uninjured by the K-9s.
The Sheriff said that being familiar with how an Autistic person may react to certain situations and the potential
communication difficulties involved can give the K-9 Units a better chance to locate them, and then interact with
them so as to keep their anxiety level as low as possible while building a level of confidence and comfort.
Both K-9 Units, who received their initial training by the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office in Syracuse, are also
trained in handler protection, tracking, and drug detection. Sheriff Harrison said that the abilities of the dogs while
working with their Deputy Sheriff partners, give law enforcement a considerable public safety benefit in many
areas. They are an important part of what we do.
