A special educational program was provided for the residents, staff, and family members at the MVNRC on October 12th, 2023, in the Emerald Grande Room. Sergeant Douglas Nothstein, of the Bethlehem Police Department, introduced his dog Silver, a retired Bethlehem Police Department Arson Dog, to those in attendance. Sergeant Nothstein had the good fortune to be chosen to work with this wonderful Labrador Retriever, after she was trained through the State Farm Arson Program. She was trained to detect over 25 types of accelerants, such as gasoline, through her sense of smell. Silver is highly trained, a good performer, and is serious about her work. When working, Silver wears a special collar and a vest, and while she is wearing these, she is all business. The only time Silver knows she can eat or play, is after she is finished working, and the vest and leash are removed from her.
Sergeant Nothstein put Silver through some drills for us. He had 6 small metal cans with various items in them. In one can, he had some burnt drywall, in another a piece of burnt sofa, in one can was dry dog food, and in one can he had a small cotton ball with gasoline on it. While he set out the cans, Silver sat calmly waiting for her command. When Sergeant Nothstein gave Silver the command to “work”, she began sniffing each can until she located the can with the accelerant. At this can, Silver simply sat down and waited quietly for Sergeant Nothstein to check out what she found. A job well done! She was rewarded with some dog food which she ate upon command.
Sergeant Nothstein shared a number of stories about Silver’s abilities to perform her work as an Arson dog with the Bethlehem Police Department. Sergeant Nothstein and Silver worked together, as a team, for the police department for 5 years. Silver was then retired by the Bethlehem Police Department because they no longer participated in the Arson Dog Program.
Sergeant Nothstein and Silver, on her leash, strolled among the residents and those in attendance giving them an opportunity to greet and pet Silver. She was such a calm and adorable dog. Later, her vest and leash were removed, and Silver had freedom to visit on her own and explore the room.
Sergeant Nothstein and Silver, now 7 years old, continue to live and play together as she is now his personal dog. In addition, Sergeant Nothstein told us that for weeks after being retired, Silver would go to the door to go to work with him. She must have been so disappointed that he left home without her.
Sergeant Nothstein likes to keep Silver working, so Silver’s job now, is to educate children and people of all ages through special programs about the dangers of arson fires and how an Arson Dog, like Silver, can help solve the crime. Douglas Nothstein is also an active firefighter with a local fire department.
