Local K-9 officers reflect on partnerships with their dogs in wake of Canton dog’s death

To police dogs, their work is a game.

To their handlers, it’s a potentially life-saving job.

And at home, their work doesn’t matter — they’re family pets.

The relationship between these specially trained officers and their canine partners is one of commitment, friendship and mutual respect. Officers said the bond with their dogs is stronger than ever following the death last weekend of a Canton K-9 police dog, who was shot in the line of duty and was laid to rest on Thursday.

Reflecting on Their Dogs

“I spend more time with my dog than I do with my husband, my colleagues, my friends or my family,” said Kent State University K-9 Officer Anne Spahr. “You can’t really fully understand the bond until you experience it yourself. We depend on each other so much.”

Spahr and other officers said pet owners can understand to an extent — but many pet owners only spend the evenings and weekends with their animals. K-9 officers spend almost all day, every day with their partners.

“It’s 24/7,” said University of Akron Officer Pam Helmick, who described her relationship with her dog, Halo, as similar to parent and child.

Another Kent State K-9 officer, Miguel Witt, echoed Spahr and Helmick’s sentiments.

“You form a bond with the dog very quickly as a K-9,” Witt said. “We’re with them all the time, so it just makes sense that would happen.”

The officers said that’s why it was so devastating to learn Canton police dog Jethro had been killed. Helmick said it was especially hard for her because she knows Jethro’s handler, Officer Ryan Davis.

“I’ve worked with Ryan and with Jethro. When I heard what happened, it just sucked,” she said a couple of days before the funeral. “When I saw Ryan the other day, my heart broke. I’m there trying to be supportive, but I had to leave because I was just crying.”

Jethro died Jan. 10 after a daylong struggle to recover from four gunshot wounds. The alleged shooter, Kelontre Barefield, 22, was charged with aggravated burglary, police dog assault and other felonies.

Barefield is accused of fatally shooting Jethro when police responded to a burglary early Jan. 9. Social media erupted with outrage against the suspect and support for the police following the shooting.

Hundreds of police officers attended Jethro’s funeral. Spahr, Helmick and Witt — and their canine partners Coco, Halo and Dexter — participated in an honorary procession at the end.

Back to Work

On Wednesday, just three days after Jethro’s death, the three K-9 officers and a group of others knew they must go on with their duties. They participated in a periodic training session at Gallucci Hall on the University of Akron campus.

Coco, Halo and Dexter differ from Jethro in one major way: They’re trained primarily for bomb detection, while Jethro was trained in narcotics detection, searching, tracking and suspect apprehension.

In all other respects, the dogs were similar. They work full time with their owners and live at home with their families when off-duty.

At training on Wednesday, Witt described the activity as a game for the dogs.

“They don’t know that we might be saving lives,” he said. “For them, it’s all about pleasing us so they can get rewarded.”

An officer hid stable explosive compounds — including C-4, gunpowder and Semtex — around the dormitory hall while students were away on winter break. Handlers led the dogs through the hall until the dogs located the scents, and the dogs were rewarded with their favorite toys.

That’s when the partners truly appeared as dog and owner. In an instant, the partners went from professionals doing an important job to family members showing affection. The dogs tugged against the toy in their owners’ grips, the officers laughed and spoke in“doggie-talk.”

“You’re such a good girl,” Spahr said with a sing-song voice, like any other dog owner. “You did such a good job.”

Reflecting on their relationship with their dogs, the officers said they couldn’t have better partners on the force.

“It’s the best job,” Witt said. “It never gets old, and I love working with Dexter.”

Helmick said her dog is her partner in life and in duty.

“An animal died this week, but he didn’t die in vain. He died protecting his partner,” she said. “If I could take a bullet for my dog to save her life, I would — in a heartbeat.”