Khara Schuetzner and K9 Blitzkrieg – a certified North American Police Work Dog Association (NAPWDA) Cadaver Dog – were traveling on a highway when they were hit by another car and pushed into oncoming traffic. Khara’s Highlander was totaled. This is her story.
I was just a mile from my home, traveling on a four-lane highway – my dog was in his Gunner Kennels, in the back area – when it happened.
Just ahead of me a minivan in the right lane of a stoplight suddenly changed its mind, trying to turn left and hitting my 2012 Toyota Highlander on the passenger side as she passed. I was heading south but the impact pushed me into the northbound lane onto two wheels, switching then to the opposite two wheels and barreling straight toward the concrete median.
The car finally stopped a few hundred yards from where first impact occurred, miraculously without ever rolling us over. My SUV was totaled.
Khara’s totaled SUV, after the wreck
K9 Blitz, in his G1™
After The Wreck
As soon as I was hit, I began thinking about my dog riding in the car with her: K9 Blitzkrieg, a 3-year-old certified North American Police Work Dog Association (NAPWDA) Cadaver Dog. Blitz was traveling on the side that took the full impact of the minivan, riding in a G1™ Large kennel.
I called 911 immediately, and told them my working K9 Blitzkrieg was in the back in his Gunner. I told them I was hurt, but that I wouldn’t leave my partner behind.
The first responders sent a K9 unit out. The firemen had to cut the airbags away from me, and when I finally got out of the car the K9 cop assisted me with Blitz.
We couldn’t open the door or cut the airbags, so it took a bit to extract the kennel. But when Blitz was released unharmed, he went about business as usual: shook himself off, and went to pee. Great dog!
The K9 Officer’s Reaction
The kennel took the direct hit. The K9 officer asked what type of kennel I was using. I said, “It’s a Gunner, I won’t trust anything else with my K9 partner.”
I believe that Blitz would not be in the same condition he is today, if not for the G1™ – and I’m thankful I found Gunner Kennels through Center For Pet Safety and its certification program.
I was also pretty worried that after the accident Blitzkrieg would be scared in the vehicle, and/or unwilling to “kennel” again so soon. Not the case.
Now he refuses to get in the car if the kennel door is not open. Thank you Gunner Kennels!
Khara has worked with animals for more than 20 years, and has over 10,000 hours of dog training and animal care experience. She is a professional member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT), a member of the Animal Behavior Society, and a supporting member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants. She is also a member of North American Police Working Dogs and National Association (NAPWDA). See her websitethedoggiespot.com.
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