By Ed Karvoski Jr., Contributing Writer
Marlborough – Two Girl Scout Cadettes want residents to know more about the Marlborough Police Department K-9 unit, consisting of Kaiser and his handler, Officer Ken McKenzie. The girls produced a short video titled “Meeting Kaiser” while working toward earning a Silver Award. The video was screened July 22 at the Marlborough Public Library.
Emma Cohen of Troop 72843 is entering ninth grade at Advanced Math and Science Academy Charter School (AMSA). Laura Nelson of Troop 72840 is entering seventh grade at 1LT Charles W. Whitcomb Middle School. While their schools and troops differ, they share common interests, noted Kyla LeConti, the Troop 72843 leader and the city’s volunteer Girl Scout registrar.
“Both of the girls love animals,” she said. “A friend of one of the girls’ mothers mentioned Kaiser. They found there wasn’t really a lot of information for folks in Marlborough to learn about Kaiser, so they thought this would be a great way to educate them.”
Kaiser was acquired in September 2013, trained at the Boston Police K-9 Academy and graduated in January 2014. Soon afterward, he began conducting successful tracks in Marlborough and surrounding towns.
The girls called the police station and proposed the idea of a video to Officer McKenzie, who was receptive.
“They asked if they could do some of the training with them and he agreed,” LeConti explained.
Emma has taken video classes at AMSA. They found additional video instruction on YouTube.
The Silver Award is the highest national honor that a Girl Scout Cadette can earn. At least 50 service hours is a requirement for the Silver Award project.
“They’ve spent more than 50 hours apiece on this,” LeConti said. “They did the research, and put everything together with the music and the commentary.”
The video includes a replication of a search and rescue mission, and concludes with Emma and Laura interviewing McKenzie about Kaiser. They also contacted the Marlborough Junior Woman’s Club, which donated funds to print a pamphlet with information about Kaiser. In addition to the screening at the library, the girls offered a presentation to Boy Scout Pack 41.
LeConti is proud of these Girl Scout Cadettes’ efforts.
“Being able to educate people in your community about something that you really care about does make a difference,” she said.
“Meeting Kaiser” is posted on YouTube at y2u.be/Yzp_YjqbuqU. It was also posted April 16 on the Facebook page of Marlborough Police Department K-9 at facebook.com/MPDK9.