K9 senior project takes bite out of crime

Thanks to Brandon Ruiz’s Sonoma Valley High senior project, the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department K-9 unit has a new bite suit.

“I have been interested in law enforcement for as long as I can remember,” said Ruiz. “When I was deciding about a senior project I walked into the police station here to talk to the K9 unit and I just asked them what they needed.”

A K-9 bite suit is a padded suit worn by K-9 deputies while training their K-9s for a situation in which the dogs would need to bite someone. The suit is completely safe for both the deputy and for the dog.

Thanks to generous donations from the community of Sonoma, including $500 donations from both the Bear Flag Ladies Axuilary #1953 and the Veteran’s of Foreign War Post #1943, Ruiz reached his goal.

All of the independent donations from our small fundraising events in front of the Pet Food Express here in Sonoma coupled with the generousness of everyone attending the SCSO K9 Crab Feed.

Working closely with his advisor, deputy Jeff Sherman, Ruiz raised close to $3,000 and last week, received a commendation from the Sonoma City Council for his efforts. Deputy Sherman, K9 handler for the City of Sonoma, said “It’s great to work in a community that supports its law enforcement like the citizens of Sonoma do. When that support comes from a high school student who goes above and beyond what’s expected to make my job easier, it’s truly remarkable.”

Up next for Ruiz is college in Arizona, where his wife is in the Air Force. As soon as he turns 21 he plans to enroll in the Sherriff’s Academy there.