Olympics role for dog handler
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ANTI-terrorism duties are on the cards for East Mey man Dave Ashpool as he has won a call-up to this year’s Olympics in London.
Mr Ashpool will be playing a part in the security operation being mounted to cover the games.
The retired Royal Navy and Dounreay police dog handler has been given a four-month contract by a private security firm.
Mr Ashpool, who with his wife, Val, set up and run a volunteer dog search team, is being deployed on anti-terrorist duties.
His involvement followed a surprise call he got at his home near Dunnet, from the firm asking if he would be interested. He went down to the capital on April 17 for a four-day intensive training stint at Olympic Park.
During his assignment, he will be paired with a former Met Police explosives detection dog on regular patrols of the games village and checks on people waiting to go into venues.
It will be quite a change from his regular routine with the Caithness and Sutherland Search Team.
It holds regular training exercises in open country, woods and quarries and has over the years assisted with missing person searches throughout Scotland.
Mr Ashpool said: "It’s going to be quite an experience being there during the games. It will, however, be pretty hard work as I’ll be working 12-hour shifts, four days on, four days off.
"I’ll be part of the operation which is helping look after tens of thousands of people and trying to make sure they are safe in what is one of the biggest sporting events in British history."
Mr Ashpool, who retired as a dog handler at Dounreay six years ago, is due to start his stint at the start of June.
Meanwhile, Mr Ashpool’s daughter, Meghann, has passed with flying colours a course run by the British Institute of Professional Dog Trainers. The 30-year-old received a first-class grade with honours in the course run by Harper Adams University College in Shropshire.
Meghann, who is undertaking equine studies at North Highland College, is a member of CASST.
