Nova joins Grant County Sheriff's Office K-9 unit

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  Nova is a 2-year-old German shepherd-terrier mix“Nova, a nearly 2-year-old German shepherd-terrier mix rescued from a Portland animal shelter, recently completed narcotics detection training and is now working alongside Deputy Seth Henkel as the agency’s newest K-9 team.”
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  Nova was rescued from a Portland animal shelter“Nova, a nearly 2-year-old German shepherd-terrier mix rescued from a Portland animal shelter, recently completed narcotics detection training and is now working alongside Deputy Seth Henkel as the agency’s newest K-9 team.”
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  Nova has joined the Grant County Sheriff's Office as a narcotics detection K-9“Nova, a nearly 2-year-old German shepherd-terrier mix rescued from a Portland animal shelter, recently completed narcotics detection training and is now working alongside Deputy Seth Henkel as the agency’s newest K-9 team.”
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  Nova completed a six-week Department of Corrections K-9 training program in Airway Heights“Henkel and Nova completed a six-week Department of Corrections K-9 training program in Airway Heights.”
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  Nova earned certification through the Washington State Police Canine Association“Nova, alongside Henkel, has now completed over 200 hours of training. “She did really good,” Henkel said. “It’s actually insane how fast a dog learns and accepts things.” Nova was trained using scent boxes and reward-based methods, learning to indicate the presence of narcotics odors by sitting when she locates a source. Her reward of choice is simple: a tennis ball. “She loves tennis balls,” Henkel said. The K-9 team recently earned certification through the Washington State Police Canine Association.”
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  Nova was previously kennel-aggressive in Portland“Nova initially displayed kennel aggression that made her less desirable for adoption.”
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  Nova was selected for her strong toy drive and attention to scent“Nova’s path to law enforcement service began in an unlikely place. Picked up as a stray in Portland and housed at the Multnomah County Animal Services, Nova initially displayed kennel aggression that made her less desirable for adoption. However, trainers with the Washington State Department of Corrections recognized qualities that made her well-suited for narcotics detection work, including a strong toy drive, attention to scent and eagerness to work for rewards, Henkel said.”
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  Nova will assist with narcotics investigations“Nova will assist with narcotics investigations throughout Grant County, including vehicle searches, warrant-related investigations and searches within the Grant County Jail.”
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  Nova will assist with vehicle searches“Nova will assist with narcotics investigations throughout Grant County, including vehicle searches, warrant-related investigations and searches within the Grant County Jail.”
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  Nova will assist with jail contraband detection“Nova will assist with narcotics investigations throughout Grant County, including vehicle searches, warrant-related investigations and searches within the Grant County Jail.”
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  Deputy Seth Henkel left his sergeant position to become a handler“After 10 years in law enforcement, spending more than seven years with the Adams County Sheriff’s Office before joining Grant County, Henkel stepped down from a sergeant position to accept the assignment.”
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  Nova has completed over 200 hours of training“Nova, alongside Henkel, has now completed over 200 hours of training.”
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  Nova is trained to detect drug odors rather than drugs themselves“Nova is trained to detect the odor of narcotics rather than the drugs themselves, a distinction Henkel said is often misunderstood by the public.”