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June 29, 2009

Retired police dog helps in drug education

By Brian Livingston / staff writer

There is just something about children and dogs that endears each to the other.

In the case of Maggie, a 10-year old Labrador retriever who is a retired K-9 officer and drug dog with the Bandon Police Department in Bandon, Ore., the message she tries to get across to the 5-7 year olds is both equal parts fun and seriousness.

"I think she knows deep down what she is doing is a good thing," said Bob McBride, Maggie's owner, handler and former boss as the police chief in Bandon. "She's a show off and loves kids and the kids love her. So she is a great ambassador and teacher for a very important message."

This morning Maggie and McBride will take their traveling program to the Boys and Girls Club of East Mississippi. Ricky Hood, chief executive officer of the Boys and Girls Club said this is the first time Maggie has been out to visit "The Club" and bring her message.

"We've had K-9 officers and their handlers here before but these were working dogs and not very good for the kids to really interact with," said Hood. "Maggie, from what Bob has told me, will bail right out into the kids and they will love that."

Maggie has been retired for four years and now works with McBride for the Regional Counterdrug Training Academy located at Naval Air Station Meridian. McBride guesses they've conducted drug awareness programs for about 9,000 elementary school aged children. The program and accompanying book is called, "Drugs are for Dummies."

Hood thinks the program is important because of the age of the kids who will see it. He emphasized how the Boys and Girls Club is always trying to educate their children on the best life choices for them to make. Staying away from drugs is a vital point to drive home, he said.

"We try to get them as young as possible so the message will have an impact," Hood said. "People might say children in this age group won't hear a message with such a serious tone but with Maggie I think they will be more than open to what we are trying to get across to them."

McBride agrees with Hood but also wants to tell the children the police officer is not the enemy but rather someone who is there to help them in any way possible.

"I spent many years in law enforcement and I think the worst thing we did as peace officers was to get off the sidewalks and into the cars," said McBride. "When we stopped having beat cops who met the public every day face-to-face, we lost some of that trust. People used to know who was out there protecting them."

After today, the youngsters at the Boys and Girls Club of East Mississippi will not soon forget Maggie … or the overall message she brings with her.

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