We are getting an update on the K9 deputy bitten by a rattlesnake in St. Johns County.
Action News Jax first told you about the race to save K9 Drake on Wednesday
Friday, we learned Drake is resting and recovering with his partner Deputy Nick Converso. Converso said he previously was a K9 handler in the Navy and has been with the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office for three and a half years. He's been a member of the K9 Unit for two years.
“He enjoys what he does. I enjoy working with him and I love him,” Converso said.
Drake is back running around after being bitten by a rattlesnake during obedience training earlier this week. Converso said the pair train every day and when Drake returned to him after performing an exercise, he knew something was wrong when he saw him limping.
“Got him to the vet within 20 minutes. We were able to get fluids in him, Benadryl,” Converso said.
Drake is 6 years old and his training specialties include detecting explosives, tracking humans, apprehension and area searches. He’s also assisted in security sweeps for races in Daytona.
“He gives 110 percent all day long, he’s very energetic,” Converso said.
Deputy Nicole Burrell has been a member of the St. Johns County Sheriff’s K-9 Unit for 8 years.
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“I’ve got 2,000-plus hours of training with K9s. He’s the best kind of backup I could ask for. I know that he will protect me no matter what. He is more so family and a partner and I know I can always count on him and he’ll always be there,” Burrell said.
Burrell said deputies and their dogs go through hundreds of hours of training and they are tested and recertified every year.
“Taking their natural abilities and just showing them how far they can go with it,” Burrell said.
Friday, Deputy Burrell showed how they train to catch a suspect. But it doesn’t end there. Deputies are also trained to provide first aid to their dogs, something that was needed this week. Deputy Converso showed Action News Jax some of the first aid supplies he carries in his K9 Unite vehicle.
Converso said the kit has things “for snake bites, for cuts, if they ever get a broken bone. We have stuff to clean out wounds.”
And as for Drake, he’s back with his partner, ready to answer the call when needed.
St. Johns County has 10 K9 unit teams, Clay County has 6 and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office has 20 officers and 22 dogs in their K9 unit.
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