"Tobacco use remains the No. 1 prevent-
able cause of death in the United States,
and we know that the effect does not stop
there," said Jeanette Robinson, Tobacco
Prevention Program manager for the Florida
Department of Health in Sarasota County, in
the release. "Tobacco use negatively impacts
the health of a smoker; secondhand smoke
negatively impacts the health of non-smok-
ers; and tobacco litter negatively impacts our
environment."
For more information about resources to quit
smoking, visit tobaccofreeflorida.com/ or call
the Florida Quitline at 1-877-U-CAN-NOW
to speak with a "Quit Coach," the release
continues.
For details about the local SWAT chapter, visit
swatsc.com/swat-teams/ or call 861-2997.
Image courtesy Sarasota County
The Sarasota Police Department has a new
member: K9 Andro, the department has
announced.
The 21-month-old German Shepherd was
brought to Sarasota from Germany last week-
end, a news release says. He will serve as the
K9 partner for Officer Nick Dominis, replac-
ing K9 Kuda, the release notes.
Kuda, who was handled by Officer Trip
Schwenk, retired after nearly eight years with
the Police Department, the release continues.
Dominis and Andro will spend "the next two
weeks bonding and socializing," it points
out. Afterward, they will attend a 480-hour K9
school mandated by the Florida Department
of Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice
Training, the release explains. Upon comple-
tion of that training, both Dominis and K9
Andro will be required to pass a state certi-
fication test before they begin working the
streets of the City of Sarasota.
Historically, the handler is given the oppor-
tunity to name the K9 partner when the two
are bonding, the release notes. Andro's given
name at his kennel in Germany was Roby,
which Dominis decided to change, the release
says.
"In honor of my heritage and, specifically,
my father, who is Croatian, I chose the
name Andro," Dominis points out in the
release. "'Andro' is a recognized warrior name
by the citizens of Croatia."
K9 ANDRO JOINS THE SARASOTA POLICE DEPARTMENT
Sarasota News Leader April 18, 2014 Page 81
