Lt. Tracy Stuart, Freya and Hemi.
GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP Stockton University Police Lt. Tracy Stuart opens the rear passenger door of her police vehicle and sitting next to Stockton University's favorite chocolate lab is a young golden retriever waiting anxiously for her name to be called.
Come on Freya, Stuart said, and then with puppy energy, Stockton's new K-9 in training sprang into action from the back seat to scope out the Pomona Road athletic field.
Veteran K-9 Hemi peeked through the seats to watch out the front window. The sun highlighted a few silver strands in the chocolate fur around his face. On June 22, Hemi, a two-time USPCA National Detector Dog champion, will celebrate his 11th birthday, making him nearly 65 in dog years, and ready for retirement.
Lt. Tracy Stuart and Freya.
Stuart and Freya were supposed to start the State Police Canine Academy on March 16 for a 14-week class, which has been postponed. In the meantime, the two are training locally to get a head start.
Their focus now and at the academy is on imprinting odors of explosive compounds. When you introduce a dog to an odor repeatedly and it enters their memory bank, it's called imprinting, Stuart explained.
When Freya was tested to determine if she could be a K-9 candidate, she immediately proved that she has an unlimited amount of potential."
She's got drive. She's sassy, bold and rambunctious, Stuart said.
Freya and Hemi are both very social, being in the lab family, but they have unique personalities.
Stuart discovered Freya's sass one night when a motion sensor light kicked on and she lunged toward the shadows of the woods.
She went right for them. She's protective, but sweet too, Stuart said.
The name Freya means strong, beautiful lady.
Every day, I see how that name is so fitting, she said.
Hemi and Freya are both foodies, but Stuart makes sure they eat healthy. Their favorite snacks are bananas, apples and baby carrots. Much to Stuart's dismay, Hemi also enjoys an occasional bonus snack from the Big Blue bleachers after sporting events.
The two are bonding nicely, said Stuart, adding that Freya is keeping Hemi young.
Some days she finds them snuggled together and other days Hemi steals Freya's blanket and balls it into a pillow (even though he has his own Wonder Woman and Scooby-Doo blankets). They constantly keep Stuart entertained.
Hemi will never be replaced. Freya is his successor, Stuart said.
At the thought of Hemi's retirement, Stuart held back emotions. For nearly a decade, Hemi has been by her side every day at work and home through the good times and challenges.
Four-year-old Freya has big paws to fill, and she can't wait to meet everyone on campus.
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