Vernon K-9 Duo Participate in Lung Association Fight for Air Climb

Thor isn’t the typical participant in the American Lung Association’s Fight for Air Climb.

Vernon Police K-9 Thor and Officer Bryan Sembersky participated in the Fight for Air Climb in New Haven. The duo climbed up 531 stairs of the 360 State Street building last month.

Their participation was the first time a K-9 team participated in the New Haven event.

Sembersky has worked in the K-9 unit for six months.

“Doing this job was something that’s always been a goal of mine. But there’s also a great deal of work that goes into it,” Sembersky said.

The two have trained for narcotic, evidence recovery, scent work and obedience. Thor is a one-and-a-half year old German Shepherd and Belgian Mali from Slovakia.

“”The Lung Association fights to improve lung health, which is something that is extremely important to all first responders,” he said.

Besides that it was a fun experience.

public. “He hasn’t been around that many people and he’s an extremely energetic dog, so this was good experience for him,” Sembersky said.

Organizers were thrilled to have Thor and Sembersky participate.

“We were honored to have Officer Bryan Sembersky and Thor participate in our fourth annual Fight for Air Climb in New Haven,” said Jeff Seyler President & CEO of the American Lung Association of the Northeast. “It was the first year we opened up the event to K-9 units at our New Haven climb and the other participants really responded to them. Both Thor and Bryan did an exceptional job running up the stairs and we hope Bryan along with other K-9 units will return to our climb in New Haven next year.”