Nutramax gifts support MSU Police K-9 Unit

Contact: Brock Turnipseed

STARKVILLE, Miss.—Mississippi State University is once again the beneficiary of generosity from a College of Veterinary Medicine alumnus and leader of a renowned animal nutraceutical company, Dr. Todd Henderson. A $50,000 gift to the MSU Police Department is funding the purchase, training and equipment for two fully equipped K-9 officers, Cosey and Quinn, who joined the unit alongside Bash and Padi.

“We are grateful for the support and partnership with Nutramax,” said MSU Chief of Police Kenneth Rogers. “With the retirement of the previous K-9s, the gift afforded the police department the opportunity to continue our K-9 program with the addition of the newest specially trained dogs. The new K-9s provide additional resources that assist with creating a safe environment at the many events held on campus and in the surrounding communities.”

The Nutramax Laboratories Veterinary Sciences Inc. team met one of the K-9s and gave the monetary donation and gifts, including products like Dasuquin® for joint health, Welactin® for skin and coat health and Proviable® for digestive health. The presentation was made before an audience of faculty and staff from MSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine at their annual Christmas luncheon on Thursday [Dec. 11], an event also sponsored by Nutramax.

“At Nutramax, we are invested in the research and manufacturing of products that improve the quality of life for people and animals,” Henderson said. “As a veterinarian, MSU Vet Med graduate, and father to a third-year MSU Vet Med student, I am invested in the safety and well-being of students, staff and the four-legged heroes that serve this campus.”

MSU Police formed the K-9 unit in 2014 to enhance campus safety and support major university events. The unit includes three dual-purpose explosive and patrol detector canine teams and one single-purpose narcotics detection team, all certified annually by the American Working Dogs Association.

Each K-9 team completes at least 80 hours of initial training with Von Klein Stein Working Dogs of Sherwood, Arkansas, as well as ongoing monthly maintenance training and annual recertification through the National Canine Audit System. The explosive detection teams conduct pre-event sweeps for large campus functions, including athletic events and concerts, and respond to suspicious packages, vehicles and bomb threats on campus.

K-9 teams also provide mutual aid support to the Starkville Police Department, Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Office and other regional agencies as needed.

Nutramax’s gift is just one of many impactful contributions that have supported MSU in their mission of learning, service and research to the veterinary community.

Mississippi State University is taking care of what matters. Learn more at www.msstate.edu.