By Chief Fred Maas, Sunny Isles Beach Police Department.

It has probably been more than a “few” years since Officer Rob Ostrov had been inside the halls of an elementary school.  But returning to school sometimes can be a “learning experience” even at Officer Rob’s age.  Especially when you are going back to spend the day with a group of 1st graders from Gator Run Elementary.  About 200 of them to be exact.

That is what took place on March 23rd of this year, when Officer Rob and his K-9 Diesel attended Career Day for the Kids and put on a K-9 performance show that was better than the T.V. dramas.  According to one of the teachers at Gator Run, Mrs. Andrea Plesa, the kids are still talking about the event and of course, their favorite part of the day, the K-9 demonstration.  Thanks to Officer Rob of the Sunny Isles Beach Police Department, not just one K-9, but a total of 3 showed up to insure a very special presentation for about 200 young minds who came away impressed, excited and “WOWED” by the abilities of a police dog.  But the story of the success of the show does not only involve the K-9.  It is also about the handler and his or her commitment to the dog, the job and the students they are entertaining and teaching.  When an individual truly “loves” what they do, it shines forth in all aspects of the show.  Taking the time to explain things clearly and understandably even for a first grader is as much a part of the program as the organization of it.  And let me tell you, first graders can have “A LOT OF QUESTIONS,” some of them even relevant.

When Mrs. Plesa wrote in her thank you letter to the City of Sunny Isles Beach and its Police Department that the “best part of the presentation was Officer Rob’s  “enthusiasm,”  I think she captured it all in one word.  We all know that animals especially dogs are eager to please and love the interaction with humans who love and care for them.  Well, I think the essence of a perfect K-9 handler may just be the “enthusiasm” that emanates when one is demonstrating to young children how much they love their career.

To all the kids at Gator Run Elementary, thank you for having Sunny Isles Beach Police, K-9 Rob, Diesel and all the other K-9 officers who helped, in being a part of your “Career Day.”