15-05-2025
The Ark Encounter offers free police training while critics twist the story
Stephen Kees, a local dentist and supporter of the Ark Encounter, hit the nail on the head when he said, "No good deed goes unpunished," about the recent hit-piece in the Enquirer regarding public safety training at the Ark.
Law enforcement departments have used our sprawling attraction south of Cincinnati to train canine officers and their dogs to be more effective in supporting public safety in their communities. The Ark seeks to be a good citizen by hosting the event, but when the atheist group, the Freedom From Religion Foundation, hears about it and goes into a frenzy, it writes threatening legal letters to police agencies that attended − and catches the eye of the Enquirer.
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Buried deep in the article is a quote from a law enforcement agency about optional talks for officers to attend. Before each day of training, as well as at the end of the day, Bible studies were offered for those who wanted to attend in their personal time. Such studies were not a part of the actual course and were not mandatory. The article falsely suggests that officers had to attend and hear messages about the Ark and other religious topics.
Some of the best training a canine officer could receive occurs on the grounds of the Ark Encounter. The conference, led by one of our officers, founder of the Police and Professional Dog Training Association and a world-renowned dog handler, helps canine handlers from law enforcement enhance their dogs' training, handling and performance.
The Ark's own canine department (eight units) also benefits from the training as it fulfills a commitment to the safety of the one million-plus guests who visit annually. This is the same public safety department at the Ark and Creation Museum that regularly loans out its specialized services to counties nearby for search/rescue and other tasks. In 2024, we received 34 calls for service. Our canine units have even helped clear public schools when there have been bomb threats. All these services were offered at no charge.
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Also, canine officers from law enforcement departments representing Boone and Grant counties attend the safety training at no charge since we have a good relationship with these agencies in our backyard.
A law enforcement agency anywhere in the East would be foolish not to consider having canine training here. It's our honor to be of service to them.
Ken Ham is the co-founder and CEO of Answers in Genesis, a Christian apologetics organization that operates the Creation Museum and the Ark Encounter in Kentucky. Mark Looy is the co-founder and chief communications officer of Answers in Genesis.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Ohio police benefit from Ark training. Why the controversy? | Opinion
