Master Police Officer Daniel Batteiger with Cyrus, left, and Sgt. Taylor Jensen with Caspian, right, and conduct a K-9 demonstration during the First Responders Day Event at Ryan Honda Saturday

Ryan Honda of Minot hosted a public event Saturday morning to thank area first responders for their service while raising more than $8,000 to support the Minot Police Department’s need to grow its K-9 Unit.

“So often we take for granted these brave men and women who routinely put themselves in harm’s way,” said Kathleen Gaddie, owner/operator of Ryan Honda. “That we can do something to make their jobs easier, to help them get home safely at the end of the day, is an enormous privilege. We are so encouraged that the community came out today to show their support.”

Vehicles from the Minot Police Department, the Rural Fire Department, Rural Ambulance, Mobile Command, the Bomb Squad and S.W.A.T. were on display, with emergency response personnel available to greet the public and answer questions.

The existing K-9 dogs and their handlers put on two memorable demonstrations for the more than 300 people in attendance.

This marks the second consecutive year Ryan Honda has held a public First Responders Day event to thank local police, firefighters, EMTs, nurses and all first responders.

Last year’s First Responders Day Event raised more than $6,400 to support a new community ambulance for Trinity Health.

Plans are already underway for next year’s event, according to Gaddie.

“After this year’s success, we’re already coming up with ways to grow this event even further,” Gaddie said.