In conjunction with a resolution that will be taken up in the New York State Assembly today, Assemblyman Santabarbara hosted a K9 Veterans Appreciation Day at the state Capitol earlier today. He was joined by Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple, Montgomery County Sheriff Jeff Smith, the Schenectady County Sheriff’s Department and a number of service dogs and their handlers. Following the event, Santabarbara’s resolution was passed in the State Assembly recognizing March 13th as K-9 Veterans Day in New York, honoring past and present service dogs for their valuable service and protection.

”Throughout the history of country, thousands of dogs have served with honor, dignity and valor, helping to save countless lives of both American soldiers and civilians,” said Assemblyman Santabarbara. “Since that time, K9 members of our armed forces have become an integral part of nearly all of our military engagements and have also become a critical tool in law enforcement, fire protection and disaster recovery,” said Assemblyman Santabarbara. “It’s important for New York State to recognize our service canines for their valuable service and those that train and work with them.”

“The value of a K-9 Unit within an agency and as a partner is an unmeasurable asset. These dogs are trained to perform tasks that Deputy Sheriffs and Police Officers simply cannot do. Working together as a K-9 Unit allows us to serve and provide the public with specialty services in hopes of making a bad situation better, for example: locating a missing person, tracking a suspect or finding illegal narcotics. As a former K-9 Deputy, we are proud of the work all K-9 Units do on a regular basis,” said Montgomery County Sheriff Jeffery T. Smith.

“We have made great strides with our K-9 Program and now deploy 12 dogs. These animals are well trained in various areas such as explosive detection, narcotics detection, search and rescue, and patrol functions. It is about time that we recognize America’s forgotten four les,” said Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple.

“Our K-9 Unit is especially important to the work we do here in Schenectady,” said Schenectady County Sheriff Dominic Dagostino. “The value these dogs bring to our force is unmatched, and I am excited to participate in a day where we pay tribute to them and their tireless devotion to our community.”