By GRACE GREEN
grace@readthereporter.com
The Heroes Club Inc. has donated new outdoor kennels to the Carmel Police Department K-9 unit, giving police dogs safe, temperature-acclimated space.
The Heroes Club is a nonprofit volunteer organization that provides financial assistance and resources to members of local police, fire, and sheriff’s departments.
Matt Frey, president of the club, said the key reason behind the kennel donation was to help officers care for their K-9s.
“Our club wants to help give them the resources they need to make it easier on them financially; otherwise, it comes out of their personal pocket,” Frey said.
The club’s mission is to meet a variety of needs for first responders.
“We just want to be there for when they need something, whether it’s mental health, more kennels, more plates for protection, whatever it may be,” Frey said.
The donation of the kennels is well-timed as the K-9 unit just brought on two newly trained dogs and handlers.
Lt. Katy Malloy, supervisor of the K-9 unit, said the new kennels will help prepare the dogs for working in all conditions.
“These outdoor kennels will give the dogs their own space to acclimate to the temperatures because it’s extremely important. We all know Indiana weather changes from day to day,” Malloy said.
Carmel Police Lt. Katy Malloy speaks to the attendees. (Reporter photo by Grace Green)
Malloy called the new kennels a major improvement and a model for other departments.
“These kennels are a huge upgrade for any canine unit. I think we probably are the only unit in the county that has kennels that are this nice. This is something for everyone to aspire to have for their program,” Malloy said, adding, “We’ve got to take care of the dogs that take care of us.”