MAAC Foundation’s S50 K9 fund strengthens local police K9 units
LA PORTE COUNTY, Ind. -- The Multi-Agency Academic Coordinator Foundation (MAAC) recently awarded $50,000 to nine local police departments, including La Porte police, in an effort to strengthen their K9 units with updated equipment, vehicle modification, and access to elite training programs.
Whether it’s law enforcement pursuing suspects, firefighters battling flames, or K9 units searching for missing people, preparation is key.
That’s where the MAAC Foundation ensures that EMTs, K9 units, police, and firefighters have access to cutting edge resources to sharpen their skills.
The S50 K9 fund is named in honor of Valparaiso Police Department Sergeant Steve Kobitz who served with distinction under badge number 50.
K9 units serve on the front lines of law enforcement, assisting in search missions, detecting illegal substances, and most importantly keeping the community safe.
With continuous training and specialized equipment, MAAC Foundation CEO Celina Weatherwax says they will be able to provide these highly skilled dogs and their handlers with the tools they need to perform at their best.
“The relationship between a K9 handler and their dog is incredibly special. They rely on one another the dependability is incredibly important, and so for them to be not only well trained and well trained together, it’s valuable in so many aspects and we here at the MAAC are able to offer spaces for them to do that,” said Weatherwax.
At the MAAC Foundation there are over 30 acres full of fire simulation buildings, tactical props, and a dedicated K9 training park with agility courses and search and rescue zones.
The facility is open 24/7 with an open space for first responders. In January alone they exceeded over 1300 hours of training.
“We have bomb detection dogs, they come and also utilize our space, and because of that we are able to bring all of these different entities together, many of which of course are the four-legged kind,” said Weatherwax.
With generous donations from the Dean and Barbara White family, the MAAC Foundation can focus on the priority areas in public safety that need improvement.
This investment also ensures highly skilled teams can modify their vehicles where the K9s spend most of their workday.
Philanthropist Jackie Stetson's recent donation will contribute to a new indoor K9 training facility to expand opportunities and enhance specialized training that they offer.
The MAAC Foundation plans to expand and impact more than just K9 Units across the region.