K.T., a 5-year-old Labrador, is honored for her work in helping keep drugs out of county schools.
By STEVE THOMPSON
Published September 16, 2004
Kids don't always remember Cpl. Scott Grant, but they do remember his dog K.T.
The good-natured Labrador retriever easily captivates classrooms full of them. And while she holds their attention, Grant hopes they will listen to his message about drugs.
The sheriff's canine was honored in Orlando last weekend for her service to Pasco County. She and Grant won a stay in the Wyndham Palace Resort, where she was awarded the Florida Veterinary Medical Association's 2004 Pet Hall of Fame Award.
The judges selected the 5-year-old for her affection, loyalty and professionalism in helping to keep drugs out of Pasco's schools.
"They said they looked at her picture and saw it in her eyes," Grant said on Wednesday. "And I see that every day."
K.T. joined the Sheriff's Office in 2001 as the agency's second school resource officer dog and its first retriever. Though police dogs are commonly German shepherds, the Sheriff's Office decided a retriever would be a better breed for interacting with kids.
"She will lick you and she will nuzzle you," Grant said, "but she's not going to hurt you."
She is also an expert in finding illegal drugs. The Sheriff's Office puts her to work sniffing out places such as school parking lots for marijuana, hashish, heroin, cocaine and methamphetamines.
"If she says there's drugs in a car, there's drugs in the car," Grant said. "That's a guarantee."
Grant and K.T. are based at the James Irvin Educational Center in Dade City, but they travel to schools throughout the county and help road deputies with routine drug searches.
The two are nearly inseparable. "She sleeps with me, she eats with me," Grant said. "I spend more time with her than I do my wife."
K.T.'s award last weekend was in the "professional" category. Other dogs earned awards in the "hero" and "companion" categories. Grant said the award was a big honor for him and for K.T.
"She's a terrific partner," he said, "and everybody loves her."
Steve Thompson covers crime in Pasco County. He can be reached in west Pasco at 869-6245, or toll-free at 1-800-333-7505, ext. 6245. His e-mail address is sthompson@sptimes.com
