Transformed from unwanted to unstoppable for community safety: Guess which Bargersville police officer has his own Facebook page and optimistic future? Why, it's law enforcer K9 Chase!
His partner is Bargersville patrol officer Joshua Wheat. "Becoming a K9 officer was something I’ve always wanted to do because of my love for dogs, as well as my desire to get dangerous narcotics off the streets," he says. "Chase is my first K9 partner. He absolutely comes home with me (when off-duty) and is a part of my family."
Chase will be 3 years old this November.
"He surprised me by truly being the best dog I’ve ever had. Chase is full of energy, loves attention and is extremely loyal. He’s become my shadow, because wherever I go, he's usually just behind me. Not to mention how he LOVES playing with any and every toy," explains Joshua.
Rob Prichard, founder of Plainfield-based Redemption Ranch K9 Rescue, says Chase had a challenging start in life, often seen alongside his German Shepherd brothers by animal control officers.
Redemption Ranch K9 Rescue team members rescue high-drive, social dogs from shelters and train them to become certified police canines, ensuring they meet and exceed nationally recognized police work standards. These once-homeless dogs become heroes serving communities while finding purpose, a home and a family.
The rescue provides the dog, training, equipment and initial vet care to police departments at no cost to agencies or taxpayers — compared to a pre-trained K9 dog with a certification school that can cost $30,000-$40,000. Rob says officers gain valuable partners, shelters have fewer dogs and communities are safer.
When Chase finally was surrendered and abandoned at the Morgan County Humane Society for chasing chickens, Rob says shelter staffers saw that environment and over-kenneling stress was making him rapidly decline.
"The shelter staff met with me after-hours on their own time on more than one occasion as we tried to get him a home because of how loved he was there. They saw that to thrive, Chase needed a job," explains Rob.
It was clear Chase had incredible potential, Rob says, showcased by his remarkable enthusiasm for chasing balls and willingness to learn. "We were impressed by his drive and talents, so helped him get on the path to a brighter future with a meaningful mission."
He was trained to become a narcotics detection, tracking and article detection/scent K9. "Now Chase has that motivating job. He loves going to work, and the prancing paws he does after finding drugs made him a crowd favorite," Rob shares.
Since K9 Chase joined the Bargersville police department this April, he helped a Make A Wish middle school youth fulfill her dream, and just a week out from graduation, he made his first arrest for suspected narcotics. "Not too shabby for being 'just a pound dog,'" quips Rob.
He adds: "K9 Chase shows that shelter dogs aren't broken, and when given patience, training and guidance, can excel. These dogs are literal underdogs, those left-behind, often overlooked and at risk of euthanasia. Chase is the embodiment of our slogan: 'Emptier shelters, safer streets.' We hope Chase loves every minute of his new life."
Rob says their efforts are all about transforming the lives of shelter dogs by providing them with a second chance. "Through our training programs, these resilient dogs are rehabilitated with love and care, and trained to become highly skilled police canines."
As a 501(c)(3), Redemption Ranch K9 Rescue accepts donations for these four-legged heroes and sells fundraising merchandise.
Find Chase's profile at Facebook.com/K9 Chase Bargersville Police Department.