Press Release: Stratosphere
January 8, 2002
LAS VEGASNV -- The Stratosphere Casino Hotel and Tower has added a highly-trained K-9 unit comprised of a security
officer and German Shepherd to its security force, announced Stratosphere officials.
The new Stratosphere K-9 unit consists of Officer Dex, a two year-old pure bred German Shepherd, and Officer Steve
Leiberman, a Stratosphere security officer trained in K-9 tactics. Officer Dex was born and raised in Germany.
He has been trained since birth in the rigorous Schutzhund obedience technique. Upon his arrival in the United
States, Officer Dex and Officer Leiberman were enrolled in Rudy Drexler's School For Dogs in Elkhart, Ind. Rudy
Drexler's School For Dogs has trained hundreds of law enforcement dogs and special scenting dogs for law enforcement,
industrial security and the private sector.
``We are constantly striving to make the Stratosphere Casino Hotel and Tower one of the safest destination properties
in the world. We have enhanced our security measures by diligently finding a dog that has been bred and trained
with the necessary temperament and skills to work at a gaming resort property,'' said Art Steele, vice president
of security for the Stratosphere Casino Hotel and Tower. ``Officer Dex represents a valuable new asset to security
in the gaming, tour and travel industry and will broaden the range of Stratosphere Tower security measures already
in place.''
Besides building search and explosives detection, Officer Dex is extensively trained in obedience, handler protection,
tracking, scouting, article search, and area search. Officer Dex and Officer Leiberman will be made available to
assist local and federal law enforcement agencies as well as other gaming resort properties.
``Officer Dex is the only dog of its kind at a gaming resort property in Las Vegas as well as a valuable community
resource,'' Steele added.
While on duty at the Stratosphere, Officer Dex and Officer Leiberman patrol the property and interact with guests.
Officer Dex is customer friendly and can be petted or photographed by guests and employees. The customer relation
component has proved successful enough that the Stratosphere is planning a K-9 education and outreach program designed
for area schools and hospitals.
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Contact:
Stratosphere Casino Hotel and Tower
Michael Gilmartin, 702/383-4790
michael.gilmartin@stratospherehotel.com
or
Preferred Public Relations & Marketing
James Woodrow, 702/254-5704
www.preferredpr.com
Source: Stratosphere