Ranger Demonstration Brings K-9 Skills to Life for OTC Students
Posted on Jul 17, 2025 at 10:19 AM
Students in the Fish & Wildlife Management program at Ogeechee Technical College recently got a firsthand look at the power of professional K-9 training, thanks to a visit from Ranger First Class Jack Thain and his K-9 partner, Smoke, along with Ranger Matthew Ubbink.
The visit began in the classroom, where students learned about Smoke’s specialized training to detect a range of items, including game animals like deer and ducks, firearms, and even people or artifacts that don’t belong in the woods. The lesson continued outside with a live demonstration. Students watched as Smoke quickly located a hidden knife in the woods and successfully tracked down a student volunteer who had gone into hiding.
Students got to witness firsthand a dog’s incredible sense of smell. Thain explained that when humans smell pizza, they just smell pizza, but that a dog can smell each ingredient individually all at the same time.
“The hands-on experience left a lasting impression on our students,” said instructor Casey Corbett. “Although class officially ended at 4:30 p.m., many students stayed well past 6, eager to ask questions and learn more from the visiting rangers.”
To learn more about the Fish & Wildlife Management program, please visit www.ogeecheetech.edu/FWMT.
About Ogeechee Technical College:
Ogeechee Technical College (OTC) is a unit of the Technical College System of Georgia. OTC provides studentācentered academic and occupational programs and support services at the associate degree, diploma, and certificate levels. OTC utilizes traditional and distance education methodologies in state-of-the-art facilities while supporting adult education, continuing education, and customized business and industry workforce training. Visit www.ogeecheetech.edu for more information.
Contact Information
Sean Payne
Executive Director for Public Relations & Marketing
912.871.8559 | spayne@ogeecheetech.edu
- Categories:
- News
- Press Releases
- Tags:
- Fish and Wildlife
- Classroom Visit