WASHINGTON — It’s not really a New Year’s resolution, but Boomer Marshall, a K-9 member of the Rockville City Police Department does have a goal: He’s hoping to raise $5,000 for Special Olympics Maryland. See, Boomer’s a participant in the upcoming Maryland “PlungeFest”, the multi-day fundraising event that has people — and pooches —take a dip in the waters of the Chesapeake Bay at Sandy Point State Park.
Cpl. Heath Marshall, Boomer’s handler, explains his wife got the idea to have Boomer join the members of the police department in the event’s “Police Plunge”, the frosty swim the day before the main event. Marshall explains that while Boomer can look pretty intimidating when he’s doing protection work, taking down a ‘bad guy’ in a bite suit in practice drills, he’s a goofy, easy-going dog who’s part of the department’s community outreach.
2015 is Boomer’s fourth year as a fundraiser for Special Olympics, and Marshall says the Czech-bred dog has no problem diving into frigid waters. “He’s a winter dog.” On a day when the snow piles up at his house, Marshall says you can find Boomer plunging into snowdrifts, and even snoozing in the snow as it piles up.
But Marshall says he did clear the plunge participation with Boomer’s vet as a precaution and was told, “It’s absolutely fine.” The key, he was told, is to make sure to dry the dog off thoroughly after the swim. As for Marshall himself: He wears his uniform during the plunge and, “Wearing my boots has always helped. A lot of people take their shoes off and they come out and their feet just freeze up.” Marshall says it’s not for everyone. “It’s brisk, it takes your breath away for a little bit—but I like the cold.“
One thing Marshall noted during Boomer’s first exposure to the Police Plunge: The dog seemed intrigued by fellow first responders, firefighters in what most of us recognize as wetsuits. Fire and rescue companies across Maryland take part in the police plunge. Marshall could see the gears turning in his dog’s head when he spotted those figures in the dark technical suits from head to toe. Boomer, Marhsall said, seemed to think, “Hey, those look like the guys in bite-suits,” so Marshall got Boomer acclimated to going in with the firefighters, introducing them to the dog using a tug toy and with that, letting his dog know it wasn’t time to go to work.
In the past, Boomer’s done very well as a fundraiser—even out-raising his human partners on the force. The goal is high this year, and Marhsall says they got a somewhat late start, but he’s hoping the dog will raise the $5,000 for Special Olympics. “It’s a great program, and the athletes really like meeting Boomer.”
Want to help Boomer make his pledge goal?
