DENVER — A new K9 has joined the Colorado Parks & Wildlife family thanks to some unexpected help, Steelers veteran quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
Wildlife officer Ian Petkash who works in the Lake George District, recently received a $12,000 grant from the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation at The Giving Back Fund in November 2018 when the Steelers played the Broncos in Denver.
Petkash used the funds to purchase Samson, an 18-month-old Belgian Malinois, and work to train him to be the agency’s next K9 officer.
CPW currently has two other K9 officers trained to help with law enforcement efforts, wildlife management and tracking.
Rothlisberger says of the donation, “We’re very fortunate to be in the position that we are able to help these K9 units. The work that is performed by the dogs and their handlers as well as the bond that is formed is incredible.”
