GWINN, Mich. (WZMQ) – A Marquette nonprofit is raising funds and awareness for the work of K9 units here in The UP. This year’s ‘Pawty on The Patio’ was a meet and greet with guests of honor, K9’s Alger, Nuke, Odin and Jace.
UP K9 hosted guests at The UP North Lodge to educate the community on the dogs hard work and to show them some love. UP K9 was created back in 2021, after Marquette Police’s bomb detection dog, K9 Nitro passed away suddenly. Officer John Waldo, Nitro’s handler, says that when Nitro passed, it was a really difficult time for the community, so he created the nonprofit in honor him, and support k9 partners across The UP.
“in our first year of operating as a non profit last year we were able to raise enough money to purchase another explosives direction dog for The Marquette Police Department, ” Officer Waldo says, “his name is K9 Odin, and he’s been working since mid September of last year.”
One of the main goals of the nonprofit is education. Working K9’s serve in many different units. They can be trained in search and rescue as cadaver dogs, drug detection and apprehension or handler protection. Explosive detection dogs like K9 Odin work to clear venues, events, and even schools and detect firearms or explosives. Officer waldo says they are proud to take part in an organization that supports and provides for K9 teams across The UP.
More information about events, or donations can be found on UP K9’s website : upk9traininggroup.com
