K-9 Unit

The Winona County Sheriff’s Office would like to introduce our K9 Partner Doc. He was purchased for $17,000 solely by donations from businesses and individuals. He is 50/50 German Shepard/Belgian Malinois and was born in April 2019 in Budapest Hungary. He had 500 hours of training thru Code Blue K-9 with his handler, Deputy Carlson. Doc is certified through the United States Police Canine Association in Patrol and Narcotics Detection. He is certified in tracking, suspect search, article search, obedience, agility, apprehension, apprehension with gunfire and handler protection. He is always ready to work and on-call 24/7.

Fun facts about Doc

• His badge number is 519.
• He loves to play with Deputy Carlson's personal dogs to include retired K9 Cleo. 
• He loves to play fetch and tug of war and lay in the kiddie pool at home. 
• He loves to play with his Kong. 
• He has his own Facebook page- "K9 Doc"
• He lives at home with Deputy Carlson and has a heated outdoor kennel. 
• At work, he rides in a custom squad car with a dog kennel in the back. He is protected by a heat monitor that will automatically roll the rear windows down and activate the lights and siren to alert anyone around that the car is too hot if the air conditioning quits working.

In 2021, Winona County Sheriff’s Office K9 Doc has received a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Doc’s vest was embroidered with the sentiment “In memory of Willow”.

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., established in 2009, is a 501(c)(3) charity whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. This potentially lifesaving body armor for four-legged K9 officers is U.S. made, custom fitted, and NIJ certified. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided over 4,415 vests to K9s in all 50 states at a value of $6.9 million, made possible by both private and corporate donations. 

The program is open to U.S. dogs that are at least 20 months old and actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies. K9s with expired vests are also eligible to participate. There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States. 

Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. accepts tax-deductible contributions in any amount, while a single donation of $960 will sponsor one vest. Each vest has a value of $1,744-$2,283, weighs an average of 4-5 lb., and comes with a five-year warranty. For more information, or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call 508-824-6978. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provides information, lists events, and accepts donations at www.vik9s.org, or you may mail your contribution to P.O. Box 9, East Taunton, MA 02718.