MEET THE TRAINER

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Hank Cocking

Owner, Head Trainer


Hank Cocking has a long history of working with and training dogs. In his first career, Hank served the community with the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office from 1991 to 2018, retiring as a Sergeant. It was during his time with the Sheriff's Office that he first began working with canines: 

• In 2002, Hank earned the honor of becoming one of the first of two K9 Handlers for the Sheriff's Office-sharing his home, vehicle and daily work life with a dual purpose canine proficient in drugs and patrol work.

• Two years later, he became a K9 Handler Instructor, conducting and assisting with several basic training classes for different agencies across the State of Kansas. He was also charged with conducting selection tests and choosing the canines that completed those classes.

In 2013, Hank and his wife, Lyneisa, opened Midwest Dog Center and began offering boarding, doggie daycare, puppy and canine training (basic, advanced and protection) as well as German Bloodline German Shepherd puppies  and imported protection dogs for sale.

Hank retired from the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Department in 2018 to concentrate full time on dog training and campus operations at Midwest Dog Center.

In 2021, Midwest Dog Center began offering professional canine trainer classes and certification.




 


     Sgt. Hank Cocking and PSD Rommell

A sheriff stands next to a german shepherd dog

K9 HANDLER/TRAINER: SEDGWICK COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

POLICE CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS


Hank's first K9 Partner, Rommel, performed over 4,500 vehicle sniffs for the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office. From 2002 until his retirement in 2011, Rommel, under Hank's direction, protected Hank and his fellow deputies, withstood attacks in the line of duty and tracked down felons and drugs.  The partners were a tremendous asset to the department and the community and often traveled to other departments throughout the nation--providing demonstrations and training. Some of the highlights of their partnership include:

• Discovery and seizure of more than  $500,000 worth of drugs connected to trafficking

• Apprehension of 156 suspects

• Sniffing out and seizing illegal drugs valued at more than 29-million dollars

In total with his K9 Partners, Hank conducted several hundred felony deployments, utilizing the skills of the canines for tracking, area searches and building searches, all of which resulted in over 200 felony apprehensions. 


During his career as a K9 Handler, Hank partnered with 3 Police Service Dogs: Rommel, Bocephus and Patton.


NOTE: Rommel, who lived with Sgt. Cocking during his PSD career, remained with Hank and his family following his retirement in 2011.

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    Sgt. Hank Cocking and PSD Rommel

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    Sgt. Hank Cocking and PSD Rommel

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    Sgt. Hank Cocking and PSD Bocephus

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    Sgt. Hank Cocking

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  • A man kneeling next to a german shepherd in front of a k-9 unit car

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    Sgt. Hank Cocking and PSD Rommel

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    Sgt. Hank Cocking

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    Sgt. Hank Cocking

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    PSD Bocephus

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A sheriff 's badge from sedgwick county is shown on a white background.

AWARDS


1999 – Insurance Women of Wichita Officer of the Year Award


1999 – Bronze Medal of Service


2006 – Bronze Medal of Service


2006 – Bronze Medal of Service


2006 – Wichita Crime Commission Officer of the Year award


2006 – American Society for Industrial Security Officer of the Year Award


2008 – Bronze Medal of Merit


2011 – Bronze Medal of Service (20 years)

TRAINING &

CERTIFICATIONS

• K9 Handler

Hank's Initial training, at the Kansas Highway Patrol Police Academy, consisted of a ten (10) Week Basic Handler Course based on the German Police Dog Method. Canine Units were also required to conduct training sessions each week. Canine judges, employed by the Kansas Highway Patrol, certified the canines and handlers annually.

• K9 Handler Trainer/K9 Trainer

Beginning in 2004, Hank began weekly instruction and demonstration of canine handling and training techniques for his own agency and many other agencies across the state, working on scenario based training and high risk deployments. He has continued his training and expanded his knowledge and experience to include the training services Midwest Dog Center provides (from puppy to protection training) as well as building his expertise in Protection Dog Selection and Breeding.