Taco, the Dalmatian, Supports Local Police Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign Through AKC Sport

Taco, the five-year-old Dalmatian, wakes up on the weekends full of energy and ready to run. This past weekend, Taco finished five successful runs hosted by the Tortoise and Hare Lure Coursing Club in Littlestown, PA, becoming American Kennel Club’s first dog to successfully complete 350 Coursing Ability Tests (CAT). The Coursing Ability Test is an introductory event fashioned after the sport of lure coursing. It tests a dog’s basic coursing instinct or hunting-by-sight ability. Taco is not only an energetic, super speedy, title-winning dog, though; he is also an active member of his community.
 

Over his time participating in these runs, the Dalmatian and his owner, Linda Davis, have gained many supporters. He has a pink bucket that goes with him to the Coursing Ability Tests to collect donations in support of the Laurel Police Department’s breast cancer awareness campaign. Cpl. Aaron Waddell of the Laurel Police Department initiated the Pink Patch Project in 2015 after his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer. He purchases pink versions of the department’s patches and sells them for $10 each. The project was introduced with law enforcement and public safety organizations in California, but the Laurel Police Department is the only agency in Maryland to participate in this project. Taco wears his Pink Patch proudly during all of his runs.
 

Donations collected through Taco’s Coursing Ability Tests totaled $714, which was donated to the local police department’s Pink Patch Program this year. Davis began collecting money to support cancer awareness in honor of her husband, Harry, who is currently battling lung cancer. Pink Patch Funds raised by the Laurel Police Department were donated to Susan G. Komen for the Cure the past two years, but in an effort to keep the money local, the department chose to donate to the Annapolis-based METAvivor nonprofit this year. The Laurel Police Department appreciates the support from Taco and the Davis’ and is honored to have such an amazing dog sporting the department’s Pink Patch.