Laura Peters, lpeters@newsleader.com
8:16 a.m. EDT April 15, 2016
Aron, a 62 lb. German Shepherd greets his new handler, Virginia Stet Trooper Ryan Martin Thursday, April 14, 2016. Aron is a retired SOC Working Dogs Service Explosive Detection Canine and has served in Iraq working for the U.S. Government. (Photo: Submitted/SOC Working Dogs Service)
A German shepherd has been donated to the Virginia State Police as an Explosive Detective Canine and will be serving in Augusta County.
The dog, Aron, is a retired SOC Canine returning from the SOC Working Dogs Service in the Iraq. SOC is a global provider of integrated security and critical infrastructure solutions and has done work with the U.S. Government and commercial customers, according to its website.
Aron will be providing protection as an Explosive Detection Canine (EDC) and teamed with Explosive Detection K-9 Handler, Virginia State Trooper Ryan Martin, a release said.
“We train the canines we deploy to work hard in protecting and supporting the mission of national security here in the U.S. and abroad,” said Mike Jenkins, Director of the Working Dogs Group, SOC, in a release. “Our highly-skilled canines are a perfect fit to continue this work in supporting local and state law enforcement in the U.S.
“This is a meaningful donation for us and we continually give back to law enforcement in order to show our ongoing support," Jenkins continued. "We have a close relationship with the local Sheriff's office and state police canine trainers and get to see our retired dogs after they leave our program, because we open our training facilities and volunteer guidance to help enhance local and state programs.”
Canines can detect even the smallest trace of chemicals to uncover hazardous materials and explosives with abilities that far surpass modern technology, a release said. All SOC canines are selected through a series of tests and a strict review process, which also examines the innate drive and basic capabilities to be a successful EDC, a release said. The dogs that are selected are then trained by SOC.
“As a working dog who served to protect human life and support national security through explosive detection overseas, we are very proud to receive Aron into the Virginia State Police Explosive Detection Canine family,” Martin said in a release. “We thank SOC for this donation.”
