Arvest Bank recently made a donation to the Hot Springs Police Department (HSPD) to help fund the cost of purchasing and training a new police dog, Kubo.
Kubo, a Belgian Malinois, was born in the Czech Republic. He was transferred to Shallow Creek Kennels in Pennsylvania, a police service dog training facility. Kubo was then purchased by HSPD and transferred to Hot Springs, where he spent three months undergoing K-9 training with Cpl. Brandon Jones. In training, Kubo learned to perform two jobs: to detect the odor of narcotics in and on vehicles and inside buildings, and to perform basic patrol functions, like bite work, tracking and building and area searches for specific individuals.
On Nov. 25, Kubo officially earned his certification in Patrol and Narcotics Detection through the State of Arkansas and the National Narcotic Detector Dog Association. Kubo can now be seen patrolling the streets with his handler, Officer Tifani McCauley. Officer McCauley has been with the HSPD for more than five years and says that becoming a K-9 handler has always been her goal.
“Being a police officer is my passion and being a K-9 handler is my dream job,” McCauley said. “Thank you to Arvest for supporting the HSPD on this adventure. Kubo is going to make a wonderful K-9 officer.”
As a K-9 handler, McCauley is responsible for Kubo’s basic care and will maintain his training and discipline. Kubo will live with McCauley in her home and report to work with her every morning.
“Opportunities to give back to the community and the police force in this very special way are few and far between, so Arvest is thrilled to have helped with the sponsorship of Kubo,” said Franklin Bass, community market president for Arvest Bank in Hot Springs. “We can’t wait to see Kubo in action on the streets – and being a very good dog.”
For more information about the Hot Springs Police Department, and to read more about their team of four K-9 officers, visit https://www.cityhs.net/431/K9-Unit.