The Sons of the American Legion of the Fred A. Rodgers, Jr., Post 388 in Koran, donated a couple of K-9 cooling vests to the Bossier Sheriff’s Office at the post headquarters in south Bossier Parish Saturday afternoon.
The group also donated a cooling vest to the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office.
“It’s our way of saying ‘thank you’ and showing our support,” said Paul Holeyfield, finance officer with the Sons of the American Legion.
Sgt. Daniel Talley, Marine Corps veteran and K-9 supervisor with the Bossier Sheriff’s Office, was encouraged by the support for him and his K-9 partner.
“It’s very heartwarming when you get a donation like this. They aren’t just thinking of us officers, but they also thought about the animals that we use on a daily basis.” Talley’s K-9 partner is “Spike,” a 5-year-old Dutch Shepherd.
Dep. David Rogers, BSO’s newest K-9 handler who served 22 years in the Army, works with 5-year-old “Ace.”
“The bloodhounds have excessive skin and are constantly overheating,” Dep. Rogers said. “So in a real-world situation with a lost loved one, I can work the dog longer on the ground with these cooling vests.”
Bossier Sheriff Julian Whittington knows that the Bossier Sheriff’s Office is only as good as the trust and support from the public.
“Donations like this from the American Legion epitomize that support, and our deputies, K-9 partners and I are so appreciative.”
Sons of the American legion are males of all ages whose parents or grandparents served in the U.S. military and were eligible for American Legion membership.
