Thanks to work by the State Office of Fire Prevention and Control and the Animal Shelter of Schoharie County, a lab mix abandoned in an outdoor kennel for more than a month has a new life, a new job, and a new country.
OFPC Deputy Chief Bill McGovern Jr. was at the Shelter Monday to present manager Kerrie Colin with a plaque honoring Grover, a rescue now trained in fire accelerant detection and partnered with Captain Murray Steedsman of the City of Edmonton, Alberta Fire Department.
"It's a real success story," Ms. Colin said.
Grover came to the Shelter after he was abandoned by his previous owner; neighbors kept him alive by feeding and watering him until he was turned over to the Shelter.
Friendly, mischievous, and in search of a job, the year-old Jack Russell-bloodhound-lab mix was just what Deputy Chief McGovern was looking for.
"We look for 'boomerang' dogs," Deputy Chief McGovern explained. "Dogs that keep getting sent back because they're too much for their new owners. Dogs with good attitudes and a sense of play that just need a job to do."
Training for the accelerant dogs and their handlers takes place at the State Academy of Fire Science in Montour Falls and runs for eight weeks.
Five teams went through the program this year and all were honored at graduation ceremonies April 11.
In addition to Captain Steedsman and Grover, other '14 teams include: Detective Steven Meerboth and Blaze, Erie County Sheriff's Office; Investigator Derrick Backus and Ryker, Oswego City Fire Department; Investigator Christopher Lupold and Lieut, named in honor of Michael Chiapperini of the West Webster Fire Department, who died in the line of duty December 24, 2012, OFPC; and Investigator Andrew Pohl and Tomek, named in honor of Tomasz Kaczowka, also of the Webster FD and killed December 24, 2012, OFPC.