Look out Minnesota North Star fans, the true stars of the north are the K-9 teams at the Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC), whose tradition of excellence continued with top honors at the United States Police Canine Association (USPCA) Region 12 Patrol Trials June 26-27 in Chisago Lakes.

The DOC has a national reputation of high placings at these events and this time was no different.

Top Region Team Minnesota DOC (4-person team with an alternate)

• John Kelly, Minnesota Correctional Facility (MCF)-Rush City
• Alan Gocken, MCF-Oak Park Heights
• Brian McCarthy, MCF-Stillwater
• Dennis Zahn, MCF-Stillwater
• Tyson Taghon, MCF-Faribault

Top Department Team (two-person team)

Kory Clausen and Todd Bestgen from MCF-Stillwater

Overall Placement

1 ^st - John Kelly, MCF-Rush City (back-to-back first place honors)

4 ^th - Kory Clausen, MCF-Stillwater

5 ^th - Todd Bestgen, MCF-Stillwater

7 ^th - Alan Gocken, MCF-Oak Park Heights

Top Rookie Handler/Rookie Dog

Kory Clausen, MCF-Stillwater

Obedience

• 2 ^nd - Alan Gocken, MCF-Oak Park Heights
• 3 ^rd - Tyson Taghon, MCF-Faribault

Apprehension

3 ^rd - Alan Gocken, MCF-Oak Park Heights

Article Search

3 ^rd - Gary Atkins, MCF-Oak Park Heights