EasTex K9 Archives - The Baytown Project

Project supports families of fallen police officers

David Berkowitz — Mon, 15 Jan 2018 01:50:04 +0000

Preston feels right at home with his new family in Michigan.

After rescuing, training and donating a Labrador retriever to the family of a fallen police officer in Michigan in December, Danny McWilliams is ready to take the next step with his organization, The Thin Blue Line Dog Project.

“The 501(c)3 paperwork has begun. Board members have been selected to assist with the project so that it’s not a one-man show. The goal is to help fallen officers’ families by placing a trained companion dog with them. These dogs will go through extensive training at EasTex K9 or a board-selected trainer. I also have been in contact with a psychologist who is willing to work with the program. This will allow us to better understand the needs of the families we want to help.”

And the project’s first success story keeps getting better. “Preston has been adjusting to his new home. I was told he has made a significant difference in the life of his new family.”

“I’ve been asked several times if I miss Preston. It was an honor to work with him, but the mission from the beginning was clear. I knew his purpose and kept that in my mind. Yes, I miss Preston. He’s an awesome pup with a huge heart. When I get pictures like this, I immediately realize that mission. He was trained to help the family of a fallen officer. It’s pretty clear to me, based on the smile on her face, that the mission was accomplished.”

When Danny isn’t serving local citizens as an officer with Baytown Police Department, he runs EasTex K9.

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Police officer keeps busy as dog trainer

David Berkowitz — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 02:44:17 +0000

Danny Mcwilliams runs EasTex K9 Dog Training. He also enjoys spending time with his retired police dog and his Jack Russell Terrier.

“I always had a dream of becoming a police officer. Not sure why really. Maybe it had to do with (‘CHiPS’ TV show characters) Ponch and Jon or something.

“I think February will be 15 years for me with Baytown Police Department. Right now I’m assigned to a traffic unit on patrol, but I was involved with the K-9 division for years. I had a sergeant who asked if I wanted to decoy. You know, get in the suit and have a dog bite you. Nobody really wants to do that, or at least not for very long. But it got me into it and I stuck with it. It was very interesting to me, especially the psychological aspect of why dogs act the way they do.

“After I got out of the K-9 unit, I kind of missed the dogs. So I did a little market research on family pets, and I ended up starting my boarding and training business. These days I get up super early to work the dogs, then I get cleaned up and head in to work (with the police department).

“I’ve always kind of had an entrepreneurial mindset. I liked the idea of owning my own business one day. I guess this is kind of the start of my retirement gig when that day comes.”

— Danny McWilliams

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Dog trainer helps fallen officers’ families

David Berkowitz — Thu, 07 Dec 2017 03:02:01 +0000

Preston will be donated to the family of a fallen police officer through The Thin Blue Line Dog Project.

“After I started my training business I thought that if dogs can help soldiers deal with all the traumatic things they see and experience, maybe they also can help the child of a fallen police officer. So I decided to start The Thin Blue Line Dog Project.

“My goal was to find a rescue dog, like a Labrador Retriever or similar breed, train it and then donate it to the surviving family. I found Preston at an animal shelter north of Houston. They said he was surrendered by his family because he was chewing up socks. He’s a great dog. After about eight months of training with me, he’s ready to go.

“We found a family in a suburb of Detroit. Corporal (Matthew) Edwards was shot and killed while responding to a burglary. The family’s therapist suggested that having a companion dog might help the daughter deal with the loss.

“It’s always good to have a buddy that you can talk to. The cool thing about a dog is that most of the time, he won’t talk back. He’s a good listener. There may be things that the daughter doesn’t want to tell mom, but she’ll tell him.

“I’ll be flying up there soon to deliver Preston to them. I’m one that’s pretty blessed. So I just look at what I can do to give back, to help make somebody’s life a little better. I think Preston can make a big difference for this young girl.”

— Danny McWilliams

When Danny isn’t serving as an officer with Baytown Police Department, he runs EasTex K9 Dog Training. The trip to Michigan with Preston will be Danny’s first commercial flight.

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