CRESTVIEW — Crestview High School outdoor education students now know the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's best tool for finding a missing person or evidence.
It's Kane, a two-year-old chocolate Labrador retriever.
FWC K-9 officer Ben Pineda and Lt. Mark Hollinhead showed students on Friday how Kane helps wildlife officers.
Class instructor Ernie Martin volunteered to be the subject of a search and rescue demonstration. Within minutes, using the scent from Martin’s previously worn shirt, Kane followed a trail that led to Martin's concealed location.
“Our officers could do this, but it would take us a lot longer,” Pineda said.
In addition, officers demonstrated how Kane can find evidence, like a bullet casing, in tall grass, and Pineda showed students the different kinds of leashes officers use on K-9s.
“(For) finding lost hunters, they are a great tool,” said Hollinhead, a CHS graduate.
Pineda and Kane offer their services across the Florida Panhandle from Walton to Escambia County.
Hollinhead said the department often lends hunting and fishing expertise to the school program.
Kendall Simpson, 17, said he has enjoyed learning more about the outdoors and getting outside the classroom.
The senior said the curriculum could lead students into an outdoor profession, like the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 'A GREAT TOOL' Bulldogs meet Fish and Wildlife's best trained dog (VIDEO)