In order to sniff out potential threats at its public events, GM maintains its own K9 unit, the company has revealed – with a Weimaraner unusually starring as the automaker’s number one detection dog.
Kasey, the pooch in question, is now 9 years old, which is also a considerable age for a detection dog, but has recently proven herself second in the USA only to a CIA detection dog in national competition.
The GM K9 unit checks for explosives and firearms at a wide range of events organized by General Motors. These include employee “town hall” meetings as well as events such as the Milford Proving Ground centennial celebration held back in September at the storied testing facility.
The company established its K9 unit in 2016 as part of its Tactical Response Team, which in turn falls under the umbrella of the GM Global Security organization that guards facilities and employees from various potential hazards. GM notes that “the K9 unit and Tactical Response Team exemplify how GM continues to innovate for safety and being one of the first fully licensed law enforcement team of its kind within a private organization.”
Kasey’s trainer since 2017 is Rick Rodden, who has an extensive background in police dog training stretching back to 2000. Rodden noted that “I had heard that GM brought on a K9, so I hit every bookstore between Canton and Cadillac to learn about her breed” before joining the company’s team as a tactical officer and beginning his training of Kasey.
Under his guidance, the Weimaraner got U.S. Police Canine Association (USPCA) certification the same year Rodden was hired by the Tactical Response Team. Four years later, in 2021, she also received national certification, a significant achievement for a dog in a private security organization rather than a police unit.
Rodden notes that Kasey will likely soon grow too old to continue her duties, at which point, he says, “she’ll get to live out her days as the queen of my house.” He also said “she will decide when she wants to retire” from her threat-sniffing efforts.
Comments
I wish GM would use Kasey as a tester for the jump-in height of SUV trunks. Most SUVs have an opening between 29″ (Equinox, Lyriq) and 33″ (Rivian R1) off the ground and that is a struggle for older dogs. The fact that the height is not disclosed on normal dimension charts tells us that manufacturers don’t consider it the priority that Kasey does (or soon will).
Jumping into the back of a SUV will be the least of his worries. At 9 years old, Kasey might start needing vet care which will surely earn him a pink slip from gm.
But I’m totally with you on cargo floor and lift-over height for animals…and cargo.
If you think an Equinox is rough, try a Silverado 3500 without running boards!
GM should use their own engineers as testers, and explain how anyone under 6’5″ is expected to climb into these. (And no, buying accessory running boards from the friendly parts department isn’t the answer I’m looking for.)
Part of the problem with vehicle heights is that everybody wants the vehicle jacked up with a cheap set of Chinese wheels with huge offset. Look at all the ford and dodge models. Engineering disaster but that’s what the most want.
So does the K-9, since he is employed by GM. Get GM family and friends discount? And are Milkbones stocked in the vending machines? Asking for a friend.