Vet thanked for Cash care

BY STACI WILSON

A local veterinarian is using his expertise to help keep the county’s deputy canine in top form.

Dr. Robert Sullivan has been providing basic veterinary care to Cash since the nearly five-year-old German Shepherd began working for the county in 2007.

For his service, Cash with his handler Deputy Michele Hillard, District Attorney Jason Legg and Sheriff Lance Benedict presented Sullivan with a plaque of noting the county’s appreciation on Thursday, May 26.

Sullivan said, “Providing care for Cash is something I can do for the community.” He noted the important service the canine does for the county. “We need a canine in the area.”

The vet described Cash as a “great patient.” He receives regular check-ups and vaccinations.

He also receives food, donated by Purina, specially formulated for dogs prone to joint problems.

Legg said he was “grateful” for the service Sullivan provides. “We could not do it without him.”

Cash has been trained for narcotics detection; search and rescue and suspect apprehension, Hillard said..

Hillard said that she and Cash work with “Designing Dogs” trainers Alan Finn in Old Forge once a week. Cash has been training since he was a puppy.

Legg said, “Cash has been instrumental in some large seizures of controlled substances off the interstate in cooperation with the state police – when the state dog was unavailable, he went out and did the work.  The two big ones involved over 100 grams of cocaine and another occasion where there was 50 pounds of marijuana.”

Cash has also been involved in the local school districts – and his efforts have found contraband and controlled substances in the schools.  He has also been used by the county’s drug task force when executing search warrants on residences.

Legg said, “They will take him in to determine whether the human search missed anything.”