K9 Timber joins Marshalltown Police Department
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On Tuesday, the Marshalltown Police Department grew larger through K9 Timber.
Timber, a 1-year-old German Shepherd/Belgian Malinois Mix, will join K9 Atlas who is handled by Officer Nick Svoboda. Timber will be handled by Officer Ross Wolken. The pair will attend Basic K9 Handler School in Buffalo, Minn. beginning Aug. 21. They are expected to be fully trained and operational by late fall of this year.
Capt. Kiel Stevenson said Timber is joining the ranks of the department via Slovakia. The department purchased him through Performance Kennels in Buffalo, who had Timber flown over.
"During these first four to six weeks, Timber and his handler will bond," Stevenson said. "Timber has been on a plane ride from Slovakia, a car ride from Chicago and another from Minnesota to Iowa. He has had a lot of stressors and does not know where he belongs yet. The bonding time will help."
The Aug. 21 training in Minnesota will be Monday through Friday.
"The training is rigorous and mentally challenging for the dog," Stevenson said. "That is where there is a chance to build trust. The training is as much for the handler. Instructors will teach Wolken how to work with Timber."
Once the training is complete, Timber will have a dual purpose. He will know how to detect narcotics, track and search for people and participate in evidence recovery. The captain said the new K9 will have a minimum active time of five years before retirement. However, it all depends on the health of the canine.
The Marshalltown Police Department was able to acquire Timber as a result of several recent K9 fundraising efforts including, but not limited to, Brazilian hot dogs and the Hoglan Elementary Penny Wars.
"We are excited to welcome Timber," Stevenson said. "The support of the community makes this a possibility. We appreciate the outpouring of support and thank everyone for that."