TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Class Is In Session

ADVERTISEMENT

By RONNIE BLAIR, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 15, 2007

NEW PORT RICHEY - Police dogs such as Copper the bloodhound and Rob the German shepherd might look intimidating, but they didn't spook students at Marlowe Elementary in the least.

That's because the children learned quickly Wednesday that the dogs' training ensures they don't put their fangs into action unless the situation demands it.

Doggy self-control is important in this line of work because the same dogs that track escaped prisoners and bank robbers also help search for lost toddlers and missing Alzheimer's patients.

Even the most hardened criminal can avoid the teeth if he's willing to surrender.

"We've located over 200 people this year; I believe we've bitten only three or four of the really bad guys," Sgt. Brian Brosnan of the Pasco County Sheriff's Office K-9 Unit told students during the Great American Teach-In.

The teach-in, sponsored by Progress Energy, is an annual event that brings people from the community into schools to talk about their jobs or hobbies.

Technically, the teach-in takes place all week, but the bulk of the speakers were booked for Wednesday. The school district doesn't tally how many people participated until the end of the week, but last year 1,693 people spoke.

Brosnan, with the help of Deputy Robert Wilkins, demonstrated at Marlowe Elementary that Rob the German shepherd can switch from lovable lug to attack dog when a cornered suspect decides to make a fight of it.

Wilkins wore a pad on his right arm to provide Rob a target and to stay safe. Once Rob latched on to the pad, he stayed latched on until Brosnan commanded him to stop.

Dogs like Rob don't come cheaply. The sheriff's office imports its German shepherds from Europe. They cost about $7,500.

"But it's well worth the price," Brosnan said.

Those Dirty Rats
"Ooooh." "Gross."

Not every speaker at Raymond B. Stewart Middle School in Zephyrhills got that response, but Rick Concilio seemed used to it.

Concilio works for Truly Nolen Pest Control - made famous by the "mouse car," a Volkswagen Beetle with ears and a tail.

"I like roaches" was Concilio's line that drew the groans. "If I didn't like them, I wouldn't have a job."

He gave a brief history of his company, founded in 1938 by Truly Nolen. Then it was time for more critter chat.

"Let's talk about rats," Concilio said. "Rats and mice are very, very dirty. If you see them, you don't want to touch them. And don't trap them in a corner. They can become mean. Rats can get in a hole the size of a quarter," Concilio continued, holding his fingers to form a hole about that size.

It was a family affair for Concilio as he taught in wife Lorraine's classroom.

Next up to speak was daughter-in-law Kathleen, who works at Duncheon's Nursery in Land O' Lakes. Her husband, Lou, the Concilios' son, helped her. Kathleen Concilio brought plants and various insects, and students were able to plant some seed.

Safety First

At Mittye P. Locke Elementary in Elfers, students learned about motorcycles courtesy of Eric Sternberg, general manager of Gulf Coast Harley-Davidson, and sales representative Mark Ricci.

Sternberg and Ricci stressed safety, noting they wore helmets when they rode over from the nearby dealership.

They also fielded questions, such as whether a motorcycle salesperson can make lots of money.

"It's not so much about lots of money; it's about having lots of fun," Ricci said.

Pasco bureau chief Mary McCoy contributed to this report. Reporter Ronnie Blair can be reached at rblair@tampatrib.com or (813) 948-4218.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT