Wil-Kil’s Own Local Celebrity Retires

Working dogs do a lot for us. Police dogs help keep us safe, therapy dogs offer emotional support and bed bug canines provide both physical and emotional support when inspecting our homes, offices, hospitals and schools for bed bugs.

In 2009, Wil-Kil Pest Control was the first pest control company to obtain a bed bug detection canine for hire in the state of Wisconsin. A lot was relying on Max, and thanks to him, the company built a successful canine program, and many other companies soon followed suit. The program was so successful that Wil-Kil’s bed bug services revenue grew 280% in the past eight years. Since then, Max has touched thousands of clients’ lives throughout the Midwest and helped them get through the stressful experience of bed bugs, by comforting them with his cuteness, lovable personality and hard work. In fact, when Max was doing a routine visit at a hospital, a sick child saw him and the biggest smile appeared on her face. Max ran up to the girl and made her day by licking her face as she laughed and petted him.

Like that little girl, many love to see working dogs throughout the day as they protect us, however, many don’t know what happens to them when they retire. Our Max will be retiring to be a regular dog. His plans include sleeping, eating and sleeping some more, and then maybe some time in the sun. Rick Schoening, his handler, and Max have grown very close over the past eight years, so Max will be living with him. But now, instead of leaving bright and early for work with Rick, Max will be able to lay down and relax.

With Max’s retirement, Wil-Kil is adding a new bed bug canine to its team, Jack. Jack will be living with Max at Rick’s house, but before going out in the field, he has to be ready for bed bugs. Rick and Jack train at home with Max leading the way. With Max’s help, Jack will definitely be ready to follow in his paw prints.

The Wil-Kil team, along with Daisy and Bull, welcome Jack to the canine team.

About Shane McCoy:

Shane McCoy is the Quality and Technical Training Director for Wil-Kil Pest Control, a regional pest management company providing quality pest management for residential and commercial properties throughout the Upper Midwest. As an Associate Certified Entomologist with over 20 years of experience in pest management, Shane’s blog provides expert tips and tricks, timely information and solutions for coexisting with the insect life and critters around us. To learn more about Wil-Kil Pest Control, please visit www.wil-kil.com. You can also follow the company on Facebook and Twitter (@WilKilPest).