| With Rescue Efforts at Pentagon |
Only Canine Unit in Delaware Called Into Action
DOVER - A Delaware Department of Correction canine handler is assisting with efforts to locate victims of last week’s terrorist attacks on Washington, D.C. DOC K-9 trainer Marilyn Arwe (pronounced Ar-way) is on duty with an elite rescue team at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.
Arwe, a K-9 trainer at the Delaware Correctional Center near Smyrna, and her canine Ayla (pronounced A-la) were activated to duty shortly after the attacks last Tuesday morning.
Arwe is a member of the Fairfax County (Virginia) Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) Team. The US&R Team is a national and international disaster response team consisting of firefighters, paramedics, doctors, canine handlers, structural engineers, communications experts and heavy equipment specialists. (For more information on the US&R, go to www.vatf1.org)
Arwe’s canine Ayla is trained to search for and rescue survivors. The team is also qualified in victim location. Canine Ayla will alert Officer Arwe when she detects a body. Arwe joined the Department one year ago. Arwe is a Dover resident.
Note: for additional information - or for a photo of Officer Arwe and Ayla - contact Beth Welch in the Office of Media Relations at 302-739-5601 ext. 232.