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‘Adds another layer’: New Douglas County Sheriff’s K-9 now working at courthouse
K-9 Bodhi, an English Springer Spaniel, is the first threat mitigation dog for the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, working with Deputy Johnna Kripal to ensure safety at the courthouse and civic center.
DOUGLAS COUNTY, Neb. —
K-9 Bodhi, an English Springer Spaniel, is the newest addition to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, helping secure the courthouse and civic center alongside his handler, Deputy Johnna Kripal.
Eyes constantly scanning the room and nose to the ground, Bodhi is trained to detect threats.
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“He’s got a good nose, and that’s what we were looking for, and he’s friendly,” Kripal said.
Bodhi’s role adds an extra layer of security.
“It adds another layer, and Bodhi can do more than what the human deputy can do,” Kripal said.
Captain Kris Peterson highlighted Bodhi’s unique abilities.
“Their noses are so much more powerful than ours. They can smell something from miles away, as opposed to us, which could be inches away,” Peterson said.
Bodhi and Kripal will be stationed at the civic center and courthouse.
“We pretty much just ensure the safety of everyone here,” Kripal said. “There’s a lot of people who come in and out of the courthouse every single day. So with that, I mean, you see deputies here throughout the day. It’s a spot where there could be a threat happening. So to keep everyone safe, we need to be here for that.”
Bodhi is the first threat mitigation K-9 for the Public Building Commission and the Sheriff’s Office.
“He will definitely not disappoint. He’s been doing great work,” Kripal said.
“Sniff out the packages that we receive through the Postal Service, FedEx, Amazon, and so forth, through the entrance screening stations,” Peterson said.
Each day, Bodhi and Kripal can be seen on the job, occasionally taking a quick break to play fetch.
The sheriff’s office credited the Public Building Commission and the CL Werner Foundation for making Bodhi’s addition possible.
In a statement, Werner said they were proud to support the effort by helping purchase K-9 Bodhi and helping fund his training.
“This specialized canine team will provide a valuable new public safety resource, enhancing their ability to detect explosive threats and protect residents, visitors, and law enforcement personnel. We are honored to partner with DCSO on this important initiative and to support the dedicated deputies and canine teams who serve Douglas County each day,” CL Werner Foundation wrote.
If you see K-9 Bodhi and Deputy Kripal, remember they are working, so petting Bodhi is not allowed. However, the sheriff’s office says that he is very friendly if ever need to interact with him.
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