State Parks K9 Officer Miro and his handler, Officer Martin Gilbertson, took top honors at an annual competition, winning the Top Dog trophy for Best Performing Team among all 16 teams at the annual State Parks Department Qualifications Competition. State Parks K9 teams are scored in a number of categories including both California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training and Department of Parks and Recreation obedience tests, apprehension, patrol, detection, indoor and outdoor search and tracking exercises.
“This is the first time we have won this trophy,” said Gilbertson, who has partnered with Miro since April 2016.
Miro and Gilbertson, who live, work and play together, excelled in each category.
“When he’s off-duty he’s 100 percent dog, but when he’s tasked with the job he’s 100 percent business,” Gilbertson said of Miro.
To maintain certification, Miro and Gilbertson train constantly, traveling all over the state to work with other State Parks K9 handlers and their dogs.
Miro and Gilbertson relocated to Nevada County in February.
“We were without K9 resources for a number of years and we’re delighted to now have the top dog in the State Parks K9 Program as our K9 officer,” said State Parks Sierra District Superintendent Matt Green.
