A 12-year-old retired K9 officer German Shepherd named Bear received the lifesaver award from a charity that helps police dogs and had previously paid for one of Bear’s surgeries.
His owner, Julia, adopted him after a long career as a general police dog ended in 2020 during which Bear had saved lives before.
During a recent walk Bear led Julia and her husband Ian into deep brush where a man had fallen down. Wet, immobile, and confused, authorities were already looking for the man when Bear found him.
The Police Department got word that one of their former canines had performed an additional rescue post-service career, and Bear was recommended for the Lifesaver Award.