Police K9s take flight Trishna Begam — NEWS10 ABC

Police K9s have been known to train in different settings, but one local department is taking their training to new levels.

BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Police K9s have been known to train in different settings, but one local department is taking their training to new levels. It may not be their typical mode of transportation, but Washington County Sheriff K9s Delta and Nitro are among the most recent four-legged passengers aboard David Petrie’s Beech C23 Sundowner.

“It’s very comfortable for them,” Petrie said.

From taxiing to take-off, the retired deputy, who’s been flying planes since 2010, evaluates the police K9s to see how they do with the sound of the aircraft and the sensation of flying. “More of a bond you have, the better K9 unit you have,” Petrie added.

Sandy Blodgett, a K9 trainer with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, said, “My dog’s personality as a lab is pretty low key. He had no problem getting in the plane.”

Known to take on their partner’s personality, every dog had a different reaction once inside the aircraft.

Alaida Durrant, one of the deputies with the department, added, “It’s about learning how your dog is going to react to a different scenario; being able to trust her that she’s going to be fine.”

Petrie added, “They got in to get used to the noise, get used to getting up in the plane.”

The exercise helps build a better bond and more focus in an unfamiliar setting. Blodgett explained, “You can’t turn around up there. You don’t want an incident. You want to make sure your dog is gonna be ok. You can’t pull over like in a car.”

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