K9 Semper Fi

12/18/20

Retired police K9 Semper Fi, passed away early this morning on December 18th. He was an amazing friend and protector who enjoyed his retired years eating cheese puffs, cheese sticks, and peanut butter. He fought his declining health until the very end. Semper passed on his own terms. We actually had Lap of Love scheduled to come out Monday to help him cross over, but Semper wanted it his way. We held him until his last breath, then held him some more. We will miss you Semper. Love you beyond words buddy……Xoxo Keep us in your thought and prayers. We have come to the tough decision to put our retired K9 Semper down. His hips have given out and his quality of life has deteriorated quickly. He will cross that rainbow bridge on Monday. Lap of Love will come to the house and help him transition. Gonna miss this guy!

Submitted By Jim Cortina

James A. Cortina has been involved with police dogs since 1972 and currently on the Board of Directors for the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc. Jim has been appointed as Treasurer since its inception in 1991. Jim is one of the charter members of the C.P.W.D.A. organization. Since 1975 he has been a certified professional dog trainer and received his Master Trainer Certification in 1985. During his career he has provided armed K-9 strike crowd control for security agencies in Connecticut and out of state security companies. In conjunction with other members of the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc. Board of Directors, he helped to draft Connecticut Statute 53-247(e) "Intentional Injury or Killing of Police K-9" which was passed by the Senate in 1993 and also assisted in implementing the prestigious Daniel Wasson Memorial K-9 Award in 1992. In 1993 he helped coordinate the North American Police Work Dog Association Nationals in New London, Connecticut. He was appointed Training Director for the New London County Work Dog Association from 1985-1987. He performed decoy work for Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc. in police K-9 demonstrations, trained several local police department canines, and coordinated training workshops for out-of-state police departments. He participated in the United States Police K-9 Association Trials in Croton on Hudson, New York in 1985 as a decoy. He is an avid photographer and received photography awards in 1989, 1990, and 1991 and currently takes photographs for the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc.