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Terminally ill boy and K-9 partner save the day

by Opinion • February 1, 2016

George Rios and "Katie" spend time with deputies from the Palmdale and Lancaster Sheriff's Stations. [contributed]
Nine-year-old George Rios and “Katie” spend time with deputies from the Palmdale and Lancaster Sheriff’s Stations. [contributed]
By the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station

Palmdale and Lancaster deputies on Jan. 27 had the honor of meeting 9-year-old George Rios, and the terminally ill boy had the opportunity to see one of his many dreams come true.

George, who has cancer, has always dreamed of becoming a K-9 dog handler with the United States Army.

So what did our amazing military do? They made his wish come true!

[contributed]
[contributed]
This past December, local recruiter SFC Armondo Delgado had a special ceremony for George by swearing him in as an Army K-9 dog handler. Then the US military, For Veterans Sake Foundation, Lancaster PetSmart and the LA County Sheriff and Fire departments rallied together to create a “suspicious package” scenario to give George his first assignment as a K-9 handler.

George and his dog “Katie” did an incredible job “sniffing” out the package and ultimately saved the day!

Many community members displayed their support by showing up for George’s first day on the job. It was a great way to make a little boy smile and to witness the community pulling together when someone needs our help.

A special thank you goes out to the For Veterans Sake Foundation for arranging this event. The For Veterans Sake Foundation is an organization that provides alternative solutions to dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

For more information, visit http://forveteranssake.org/.

–

Filed Under: Opinion

20 comments for "Terminally ill boy and K-9 partner save the day"

  1. Maay says

    March 16, 2016 at 4:32 pm

    This story mourns my heart. I will still pray he lives a long life. I believe in miracles. What an incredible thing they have done for this child. He is such a precious little soul and he did not ask for this life. I pray the entire family has strength to go through what they are going through. This can happen to any of us. Cancer can get us at any day. Give thanks every living day for another day. I am proud of all of our servicemen involved, and for every officer and anyone else who made this possible for this child.

  2. S says

    February 23, 2016 at 6:46 pm

    The child is dying, and you begrudge him a few minutes of pleasure, of doing what he has dreamed, just because you think the Sheriff’s dept is bad, or you think they should have more minorities. Well go tell the child’s parents that you don’t think that their son should be honored in this way that it is a waste of taxpayers money, see how far this gets you. I am sad for the parents who will lose their baby, I am sad to know there is a soul who will not be able to live up to its potential and grow. Shame on all of you who use this article as a way to slam the Sheriff’s dept, if you obeyed the laws they would be out of work. And as far as him being another Justin Bieber, I think one is enough.

  3. Beroy Laca says

    February 1, 2016 at 8:59 pm

    Actually, I’ve seen a black deputy at the mall. And a big one driving around that ridiculous “share tolerance” (or whatever it’s called) trailer. I’ve seen 3-4 separate ones on the east and west sides of Palmdale. There’s one who shoots hoops with kids out east. Now if you’re talking hispanics, multiply that by 20-30

  4. m says

    February 1, 2016 at 8:25 pm

    What a wonderful story! Thank you for sharing it!!!

  5. Unknown says

    February 1, 2016 at 7:57 pm

    Complete and utter ignorance….Always a racial comment, really????

  6. Zippey says

    February 1, 2016 at 12:27 pm

    Sorry. Any 9 year old whose life dream it is to be a K-9 dog handler with the United States Army as opposed to a fire fighter, astronaut or the next Justin Bieber is heavily indoctrinated or used for propaganda.

    • veselka says

      February 1, 2016 at 3:06 pm

      I’d argue that boy who wants to be the next Justin Bieber is even more indoctrinated.

    • Lillie says

      August 15, 2016 at 2:56 pm

      you are so insensitive and ignorant to the pain of a mother and the lengths on which a caring community will go to grant the wish of a terminally ill child. you should not comment on stories such as this one, if you don’t have anything positive to say.

    • Lillie says

      August 15, 2016 at 2:56 pm

      you are so insensitive and ignorant to the pain of a mother and the lengths on which a caring community will go to grant the wish of a terminally ill child. you should not comment on stories such as this one, if you don’t have anything positive to say.

  7. :( says

    February 1, 2016 at 12:24 pm

    Not to take away from the awesome job these adults did for this child, but I got to ask. Do we have ANY minority sheriffs in the AV? At all?

    • (\^/) says

      February 1, 2016 at 12:30 pm

      Only 1.

      • Lori says

        March 4, 2016 at 10:22 pm

        Wrong, look at the other story, go through the community class and find out for yourself, there are tons of minority sheriffs!

    • Laughing says

      February 1, 2016 at 3:41 pm

      We do, but the K9s keep biting them, gotta keep em separated. (Joking)

      • jane says

        February 20, 2016 at 8:51 pm

        Hey Laughing,
        I can tell your a skin head; what a loser:-)

        • Laughing says

          February 23, 2016 at 2:01 pm

          My skin head is due to age, balding.

    • SMH says

      February 2, 2016 at 7:31 am

      Police do something good and still get criticized? Go figure.

      • Tim Scott says

        February 2, 2016 at 11:34 am

        And yet when I point out that the sheriff’s department has completely lost credibility and is pretty widely despised people say “only among criminals.” As you note, the reality is that even when they pull off what should be a feel good story their reputation drags it down.

    • P says

      February 2, 2016 at 11:22 am

      GO F*@$# yourself, get over it or move to LA

    • Bg says

      April 21, 2016 at 6:08 pm

      Why does that effing matter ?????????????

    • Lillie says

      August 15, 2016 at 2:57 pm

      Wow! really?

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