Boss, a K9 German shepherd with the Ardmore Police Department in Oklahoma, is retiring after four years of service. He is expected to complete his service toward the end of September 2020.
For the last 28 dog years, Boss has been working with handler Jared Johnson. Boss has helped to detect drugs, search buildings, arrest criminals, find missing minors, and more. He has accompanied Johnson to speak at multiple schools, showing his passion and excitement for people.
Johnson spoke with KXII about how much working with Boss has meant to him over the years: “It’s pretty awesome. I don’t think there are too many other jobs where you get to work and play with a dog all day long.”
Johnson says that he went through a special selection process and a school to be matched with Boss and train him for his role with the Ardmore Police Department. Throughout his time with Boss, Johnson has continued to train weekly with his K9 to keep them both sharp and experienced in the field.
Boss has truly become a member of Johnson’s family, even coming home with the officer every night. Johnson seems to believe that he and the dog were meant for each other, stating, “It wasn’t ever a choice. It was happening one way or another.”
Don’t worry about Boss’s future; he will continue to live with Johnson after his retirement. Johnson adds, “He will stay with me and we will continue to be buddies. Take all the naps he wants and kinda just hang out at the house and get to enjoy being a dog.”
Johnson will continue working with the APD’s K9 unit with a new Belgian Malinois, who is currently completing training and will start working with Johnson in October.
Photo Credit: Ardmore PD Facebook page.
