Combat Readiness Training Center Hosts Canine Training Conference

Over 350 K–9 units from the US and Canada have come to the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center for a week of training and learning for both handlers and their canine partners through the National Association of Professional  Canine Handlers.

“We do have to keep up what’s going on in our country, said Terry Foley, NAPCH president and founder. “Control work for the dogs, detection work, you know, unfortunately the bad guys try to maneuver a lot of things that have to learn about so we have to make adjustments.”

Officers can participate in several different training exercises to keep themselves and their canines sharp. “This event is important to me because you learn so much throughout dealing and speaking with other handlers, other patrol tactics, and things to not only to keep us safe, but also our partners safe to go home,” said Jeremy Osbun, Ottawa County K-9 handler and master trainer.

The event has been held at the Combat Readiness Testing Center for 30 years, 19 of those years through the National Association of Professional Canine Handlers. They spend the week on base and also doing exercises in the community. “I get a lot of good feedback from local community members about seeing all the dogs, and seeing all the dog handlers in the community and it’s all positive,” said Colonel James Rossi, commander of CRTC. “So, special thanks to the community, this is a really great event not just for the CRTC, but for the Alpena community in general.”