Pennies for Police Service Dogs

If you’ve got some change lying around, why not consider donating it to a good cause?   The ’s “Pennies for Police Service Dogs” penny drive kicks off later this month, and they need your help.  

From Feb. 28 through March 11, your family can donate your pennies and other loose change at by taking it to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, the Douglas County Courthouse or one of the following Douglas County elementary schools:  Annette Winn, Beulah, Bright Star, l, , , Lithia Springs, , Mirror Lake, , , , Sweetwater, , and .  All proceeds will go to Chase Away K-9 Cancer, an organization that raises money to help treat and fight cancer in dogs. 

Recently, I had the opportunity to speak with Lieutenant Michael J. Barnhill of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office about our own local K-9 Unit and, the penny drive and why they chose to get involved with this cause.  

Sarah’s Critters:  Can you tell me a little about the K-9 Unit and its purpose?

Lt. Michael J. Barnhill:  The Douglas County Sheriff's Office K-9 Unit is made up of six teams (six handlers and six dogs).  Five of the team's that we utilize are dual purpose trained in narcotics detection and apprehension work. One team is trained exclusively in explosives detection. Our purpose is to utilize highly trained dogs to assist law enforcement in the location of illegal narcotics or explosives and to also utilize dogs to locate and apprehend persons who have committed a serious crime and flee.  

Sarah’s Critters:  What is the purpose of the penny drive? 

Barnhill:  The main purpose of our penny drive is to bring awareness to canine cancer related issues that affect all breeds of dogs–not only police service dogs but family pets as well.   

Sarah’s Critters:  How can people in Douglas County get involved? 

Barnhill:   By encouraging their children or grandchildren, if they attend one of the participating schools, to get involved. If they do not have children or grandchildren attending one of these schools, they can bring their pennies or change to one of the schools near them. They can also bring their pennies or change to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office or courthouse during that same period.

Sarah’s Critters:  How long has the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office been doing the penny drive?   Why did you guys get involved?  

Barnhill:  This will be the second year we've had our "Pennies for Police Service Dogs" penny drive. We started this penny drive after our good friend and K-9 handler, Officer. Joe Shirley with the Norfolk Southern Railroad Police Department, found out that his partner, Muis, had cancer in December, 2009. Muis was put to sleep in February, 2010, and this was our way to pay tribute to a great dog whose career ended way too early. Last year, with the help of the elementary schools that participated, we raised $5,550.92, all of which was donated to Chase Away K9 Cancer in memory of Muis. The reason we chose to involve the elementary schools is because we do a lot of K-9 demos for them every year and we know how much the kids love to see the dogs and help them.

Sarah’s Critters:  Is there anything else you would like to say about the penny drive? 

Barnhill: Since starting our penny drive, we have met a lot of people who have shared their story with us about losing their pet to a canine cancer-related illness. We have also learned of several other police service dogs in the state of Georgia that have as well. This year we want to honor those police service dogs that we know have lost their life to a canine cancer-related illness.

For more information about the penny drive, please contact Lieutenant Michael J. Barnhill at 678-486-1220 or mbarnhill@sheriff.douglas.ga.us.  For more information about Chase Away K-9 Cancer, visit www.chaseawayk9cancer.org.