Community Corner

Dog Trainer Overwhelmed by Crowd at Hugs for Hounds

Forest Preserve District of Will County Master Patrol Officer Dean Klier said he will use proceeds from Hugs for Hounds event to purchase a tracking vest for Jullo, the district's new K9 search and rescue dog.

Because an overflow crowd turned out for the Hugs for Hounds event Saturday at Hammel Woods Dog Park in Shorewood, two parking lots were filled to capacity and some cars were directed into a grass spill-over area.

Proceeds from the fifth annual doggie Easter egg hunt went to support Jullo, the Forest Preserve District of Will County's new K9 search and rescue "officer."

"I'm definitely surprised by the turnout, that's for sure," said Dean Klier, Jullo's trainer and a master patrol officer with the forest preserve district. "I was not expecting this many people to come out, but every little bit helps because it helps me take care of him.

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"It helps pay for anything I might need to take care of him, whether it's food or right now I'm working on getting him a ballistic vest for tracking. Those are pretty expensive. This will certainly help going toward that."

Jullo is an 18-month-old German Shepard. Klier has been training the dog for his new job with the forest preserve district since the third week in January when the two hooked up in San Antonio, Texas.

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