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New Jersey Couple Donates K-9 to Roanoke City Police Department

A New Jersey couple from Summit Nutritionals International ®, is making a difference for the Roanoke City Police Department after a local K9 officer died of cancer.
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ROANOKE (WSLS 10) – A New Jersey couple is Roanoke Policemaking a difference for the Roanoke City Police Department after a local K-9 officer died of cancer.

Tuesday, the department recognized Deanna and Caesar DePaço, Ph.D. for donating its newest member, Loki.

Loki takes the place of Mia, a K-9 who passed last October.

 

Video from www.wsls.com

His handler, Sergeant Mike Thompson, says a K-9 officer is truly a partner.

“Something that may calm the handler after seeing a certain scene is just your dog putting his paw on your shoulder while you’re sitting in a car, kind of one of those silent you’re going to be okay,” explained Sgt. Thompson.

“We understand the difficulties of creating a K-9 department or sustaining one and it’s a very, very large expense and not all police departments are able to cover that and we’re in the position that we can, so we have just decided to make that our mission,” Deanna DePaço said.

The DePaço’s have donated almost a dozen trained K-9s nationwide and will travel Wednesday to Harrisonburg for another donation to the police department there.

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Kansas City Police Department Thanks Summit Nutritionals International ®

Kansas City Police Department Final
The Canine Unit accepted the donation of Rico from Summit Nutritionals Inc. ® with a small ceremony. Rico replaces Brunie, who died in the line of duty in September.

Two dogs. Same breed. Same handler. Same birthday. A tragedy made better by a generous gift.

The Kansas City Police Department was fortunate to get the attention of Summit Nutritionals International, Inc. ® The company donated $12,000 to purchase a new canine to replace Brunie, who died in the line of duty in September. The new dog is Rico, a 3-year-old Belgian Malinois, who will partner with Officer Jason Brungardt. Rico and Brunie even have the same birthday.

Helping police departments who have lost canines is a worthy cause for Dr. Caesar DePaço, Founder & CEO of Summit Nutritionals International, Inc. ® & President, Deanna Padovani-DePaço.

“It has just become something that became very important to my husband and me,” Deanna said. “We feel that it is very important to fill that void and to keep everyone safe with their dogs.”

Summit Nutritionals ® is on a mission to help step-in and pay for replacements after tragic losses of canine officers. Brunie died after a search for a suspect in a wooded area led to him contracting dysautonomia, a fast-moving degenerative disease of the nervous system.Kansas City Police Department 2 Final

Summit Nutritionals ® also is willing to help law enforcement agencies launch canine units.

“It takes a lot of funds and support from the community,” Deanna said. “But we want to be there to help them get that started.”

Caesar and Deanna DePaço had the pleasure of watching Rico become certified in patrol work.

“He passed with flying colors,” Deanna said. Summit Nutritionals ® bought Rico from Vohne Liche Kennels in Denver, Indiana, the source of KCPD’s other dogs.

After the loss of his previous canine partner, Officer Jason Brungardt said he is truly blessed to get Rico. He plans to use Rico as a dual-purpose patrol dog, trained for patrol work and detecting explosives. Officer Brungardt likes to describe Rico as a light switch.

“He will go out and take care of business immediately,” he says. “He will then come right back and turn that light switch off and be all loving and want to nuzzle up to you, he is truly an exceptional dog.”

The team will be ready for whatever comes their way. “Anytime there is a bomb threat or just regular calls for service, we will be right there to take them down,” Brungardt said.

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Fox News – The DePaço Family Donates Dog After Police K-9 Brunie Passes

“It is our utmost honor to not replace Brunie, but at least allow the officer to get back on the street, have a new partner and keep everything and everyone safe,” said Deanna DePaço of Summit Nutritionals International ®
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KANSAS CITY — A new K-9 officer joined the ranks of police Friday, thanks to a donation from a family moved by the death of a police dog in September.

When “Brunie” died in the line of duty, police received many sympathy cards from dog lovers across the nation.

The Belgian Malinois became sick while in the woods while tracking a suspect in the city of Belton, Mo. Police believe that while pursuing a suspect, Brunie came into contact with something poisonous. The dog was euthanized eight days after he became ill.

The DePaço family from New Jersey gave police a replacement dog that they hope will serve the department just as well as Brunie did.

“It is our utmost honor to not replace Brunie, but at least allow the officer to get back on the street, have a new partner and keep everything and everyone safe,” said Deanna DePaço. “We are very excited and very happy to have assisted with this wonderful Kansas City Missouri Police Department.”

Rico is the new police dog, also a Belgian Malinois. He completed his police training on Friday and is certified to begin patrol with handler Jason Brungardt.

Brunie served with Kansas City police for two years. The National Police Canine Association honored Brunie in 2013 as canine officer of the year.

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