Donation Provides Extra First Aid Resources to HPD Canines

Hawai‘i Police Department’s canines and handlers have some extra first-aid resources with the help of a donation from the Hawai‘i Island K9 Association.

During a ceremony held in Kailua-Kona on Feb. 25, the Association presented the department with seven canine trauma first aid kits and seven nasal Narcan kits – one for each of the department’s seven canine units. The department has five narcotics canines and two live-search canines.

“Hawai‘i Police Department appreciates the generous donation from the Hawai‘i Island K9 Association to keep our canines safe,” Chief Paul Ferreira stated in a press release Tuesday, March 2.

The donation included training by a veterinarian in how to use the equipment, training aids, canine toys and other materials, with a combined total value of $2,000. The department received approval from the County Council to accept the donation prior to last week’s ceremony.

“We want to make sure the canines are protected,” said Tammy Passmore, founder and board chair of the Hawai‘i Island K9 Association. “We saw a need for the canines to have the specialty training and equipment so they can perform their job.”

Following the ceremony Friday, veterinarian Dr. Kristina Henricks, owner of Good Karma Spay and Neuter, provided departmental canine handlers training in how to use the trauma kits and Narcan.

The Association is continuing to raise funds to help support the needs of law enforcement canine teams. For more information on Hawai‘i Island K9 Association, go to https://hik9s.org/.