Deputy Zack Adamson has aspired to be part of a K-9 law enforcement team for as long as he can remember.
"It's always been my dream to be a K-9 handler," he said.
Adamson has been in law enforcement for five years, three of those as a deputy with the McDonald County Sheriff's Office.
He has been steadily working toward his goal of becoming a handler, but Adamson is now faced with the challenge of raising funds to send himself and his partner, Shadow, to training.
The Sheriff's Office operates on limited funds and can't allocate $3,500 for certification costs, but Adamson is determined to see his dream realized.
The team must attend an in-depth four-week program to receive the necessary certifications in obedience, narcotics identification, tracking and controlled aggression.
If successful, Shadow would be the department's second K-9 unit.
Class dates are flexible and can be scheduled at the handler's availability. Adamson said he plans to use his vacation and compensation days to attend the daily training sessions.
One-year-old Shadow is a Belgian Malinois male.
He has undergone basic obedience training and is a certified emotional support animal.
Adamson was paired with Shadow earlier this year through the American Belgian Malinois Rescue group on Facebook. Southwest City police chief and longtime handler Bud Gow scrolled by a post seeking a new home for Shadow and shared it with Adamson, who had previously expressed interest in handling.
It was love at first sight.
Shadow was flown from Florida to Missouri to be united with Adamson, and the two have been inseparable since.
"He goes with me everywhere when I'm not at work," said Adamson. "And sometimes when I am."
Gow teamed with his first K-9 nearly three decades ago. He's had four furry partners over the years and is excited to see the growing local interest in K-9 law enforcement teams.
"K-9 handling isn't just a job; it's a way of life," said Gow. "That dog is always with you and everything you do affects it. And it's a lot of training. But Zack seems to have the heart and the drive for the job; I think he'll do great."
In the future, Adamson said he also hopes to secure supplemental funding for additional K-9 accommodations, such as an in-car cage and a heat sensor that would notify him of rising temperatures inside the patrol vehicle and roll the windows down if necessary.
Those interested in donating to Adamson's fundraiser can do so online at www.gofundme.com/mcso-k9-shadow, in-person at the McDonald County Sheriff's Office, or they can contact dispatch at 417-223-4318 to arrange personal pickup.
Community on 12/14/2017