It worked out well. Local police Lt. Matt Holten, officer Eric Blust, Sgt. Jeff Ellis of the county sheriff’s office and a fourth regional handler took second at the 2009 U.S. Police Canine Association’s National Field Trials, which recently finished in Des Moines, Iowa.

Ellis and former national champion Tazer took third in the individual competition.

It was a job well done, especially when you consider the trip almost didn’t happen.

The officers and their dogs weren’t going to enter nationals because of budget constraints, but they did, thanks to the generosity of seven different sponsors who chipped in a combined $1,800.

This is the type of program that’s perfect for community support.

While it was the right move by law enforcement to initially choose not to attend nationals because of budget issues, we’re glad local donors stepped up and made it possible.

As residents of Austin and Mower County, we need to be looking for ways to help out, whether it’s volunteering our time or helping sponsor a K-9 trip to nationals.

That’s what these seven sponsors did here, and it was nice of them to do it.