BROOKVILLE – A local non-profit organization, the Pine Creek K9 Search Unit, will hold a fundraiser benefit on June 9.
The second-ever Rounds for Hounds event will be held from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds. It’s a craft beer, wine and food-tasting event.
There will be 300 tickets available for sale. Each ticket will include admission, samples and a meal, entertainment and a tasting glass.
Tickets are available at Morey’s Beverage, Brookville; the Winery at Wilcox at the DuBois Mall; and at The Phone Guys/The Cellular Connection, Clearfield. You can also order your tickets online.
The K9 unit provides search and recovery efforts to north central Pennsylvania and surrounding areas. It serves a population area that totals more than 350,000 people.
The unit is available by the request of any police and or fire department in need of assistance with locating lost, missing or wanted persons.
Team members live with their dogs in the communities they service. They are available 24 hours a day and 365 days a year.
Each member is not only giving their time, but also providing their own equipment. The goals to product and serve the community will not change, even though it’s quite costly.
In order for the unit to achieve these goals and meet various needs, it must humbly seek support from the communities it serves.
This year the unit hopes to provide its members with winter safety gear, such as coats, snow pants, gloves and boats that will protect them in severe winter conditions.
Winter is a very busy time for search and rescue efforts in this area because of hunting season and winter holidays/activities. In addition to gear, it’s also as important to provide quality training.
Each year the K9 teams are certified through the International Bloodhound Training Institute (INBTI). It’s a global training institute specializing in the uniformity of search K9s.
The unit’s yearly certifications bestow the trust in each K9 team that it’s ready and willing to serve. Members also earn mapping, navigation, CPR and Pet CPR training and certifications.
All proceeds from the Rounds for Hounds fundraiser will directly benefit the unit and its members.