The Challenge
Thomas B. Dobies, an avid animal lover and owner of Thomas B. Dobies Funeral Homes, generously gifted $8,500 to jumpstart the USF Police Canine Program. He challenges USF alumni, friends and community members to make their gift of any size to reach the remainder of the $15,000 project goal.
Thomas is passionate about this program, as it is one near and dear to his heart. "I rescued a dog named Lucy who meant the world to me. When she passed away, I gave a funeral with more than 200 people in her honor," Dobies said. "I loved that dog...animals are so good. My gift is in honor of Lucy."
The Program
Help the University of South Florida Police Department (USFPD) gain the resources needed to implement USF's first canine program! This program will enable USFPD to respond more quickly and effectively to the community's needs. Currently, USFPD must rely on outside agencies to provide K-9 services during times of need.
Once the dogs have been identified and brought to campus, training for the dogs and handlers will be hosted at local police agencies with K-9 programs. We are fortunate to have local agency partners who are helping us with our new K-9 unit, even providing us with vehicles equipped for our new furry friends.
The dogs will remain with their handlers when not on duty. While on duty, in addition to mitigating dangerous risks on campus, the K-9's and their handlers will attend community programs, police public events, campus festitivities and provide support to local agencies.
Who We Are
The USFPD, in partnership with the USF community, is dedicated to providing a safe environment for the USF Tampa campus. USFPD is a full-service law enforcement agency, accredited through the Florida Commission on Accreditation (CFA). USFPD was honored in 2018 with the distinctive Excelsior accreditation status, which is currently only held by one other state university system.
The Impact
The K-9 units created through this project will comfort victims of crimes and detect dangerous drugs and explosives. Your support will help the USFPD continue to effectively mitigate risk of these dangers on the USF Tampa campus, as well as within the surrounding community.
Your generosity will help ensure our dog handlers and their furry partners are able to provide the support they need to carry out their missions.
Spread the Word
We are counting on your help! Make an even bigger impact by sharing your support of this campaign using the social media tools at the top of the page.
Thank you for helping to bring our furry friends to campus and provide assistance with ongoing maintenance, training and care.
Latest Updates
Choose a giving level
$25
Patrol
Your gift of $25 will provide food for our furry friends for one week.
$35
Corporal
Your gift of $35 will help with every day needs of the dog and its handler.
$50
Sergeant
Your gift of $50 will help us increase insurance coverage for the dog on campus and in the handler's home.
$75
Lieutenant
Your gift of $75 will help provide a kennel and other necessary items at the handler's home.
$100
Captain
Your gift of $100 will help offset some of the costs associated with increased record keeping by the dog's handler.
$500
Chief
Your gift of $500 will help provide gear and supplies for the handler and their canine.
$1,000
Ambassador
Your gift of $1,000 will help the USFPD when the canine unit is deployed, as only a few officers are trained handlers.
$
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