Officer and K9 Team Triumph at National Competition
October 17, 2024 | Cottage Grove, Washington County, Minnesota
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
Officer Sorgard and Odin trained with the Washington County Sheriff's Office and quickly established themselves as a formidable patrol dog team. Their journey culminated in a regional trial this past June, where they secured a fifth-place finish and earned the top rookie dog team award. This success qualified them for the national competition held in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in early October, where they competed against 67 top K-9 teams from across the country.
At the national event, Officer Sorgard and Odin excelled, achieving first place in the combined apprehension score and receiving the Terrence Patrick Cahill award for the highest combined scores in obedience and apprehension work. They narrowly missed the top overall honors, finishing second overall, just behind a team from Washington County.
Sergeant Toning emphasized the rarity of rookie teams competing at the national level, noting that most do not participate due to inexperience. The support from the Cottage Grove Public Safety Board was crucial in funding their training and travel expenses, allowing them to showcase their skills on a national stage.
The meeting concluded with a round of applause for Officer Sorgard and Odin, celebrating their remarkable accomplishments and the dedication of the Cottage Grove Public Safety Board in supporting the K-9 unit.
View full meeting
This article is based on a recent meeting—watch the full video and explore the complete transcript for deeper insights into the discussion.
View full meetingSponsors
Proudly supported by sponsors who keep Minnesota articles free in 2025
