Copter Circles Cooperstown

As K9s Acclimate To Flying

Trooper Meredith Govoni, detached from Troop K. Columbia County, to the State Police Canine Unit's training program outside Cooperstown, exits a helicopter with Lexi this morning. The school is acclimating its dogs to flying, as the K9s can be deployed all over the state. (JIm Kevlin/allotsego.com) — Trooper Meredith Govoni, detached from Troop K. Columbia County, to the State Police Canine Unit’s training program outside Cooperstown, exits a helicopter with Lexy this morning. The school is acclimating its dogs to flying, as the K9s can be deployed all over the state on short notice. (JIm Kevlin/allotsego.com)

A state police helicopter settles to earth a few minutes ago at the Bassett Hospital helipad across from the Clark Sports Center.

COOPERSTOWN – Choppers have been circling Cooperstown all morning.

Actually, it’s one chopper, landing and taking off and landing the taking off, getting K9s from the State Police Canine Unit on Chicken Farm Hill Road to overcome any fear of flying.

Sgt. Jason Brewer, who has been with the unit for 13 years, explained that the K9s respond to situations around the state, and the training gets them used to the noise of the chopper blades, as well as flying, so they are prepared when reacting to scenes.

About a dozen officers – troopers, sheriffs’ deputies and correctional officers from around the state – were at the Bassett Hospital helipad across from the Clark Sports Center for most of the morning.

Carrying two dogs and their trainers per trip, the helicopter, leaving the scene, circled to the west over the village and, 15 minutes later, returned to the scene from the direction of the east side of Otsego Lake.

Brewer said the dogs and their trainers will be graduating from this class at the end of November.

One of the trainees, Trooper Meredith Govoni, exited the chopper with Lexy. She described a rigorous entrance process, where officers seeking the training are winnowed down to three, reviewed by a panel and then undergo physical testing to ensure they have the agility to work with the dogs.

She and another officer from Troop K, Columbia County, are in the current class. After graduation, she expected to be assigned to the southern half of Troop K’s coverage area, while the other officer will get the northern end.