There will shortly be a new member on Bowling Green State University’s police force – but he’ll look a
bit different than the other officers.
On June 11 Ohio Homeland Security is to present an explosive detection canine to the police department.

The dog is to be presented during an event Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. on the lawn in front of University
Hall.
The presentation is part of a pilot program involving three other Ohio universities.
Dustyn Fox, of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, said that geography and access to resources played a
part in deciding where the dogs would be placed.
"Bowling Green, it’s obviously kind of in a rural area there," he said, noting that the access
to this type of dog in the area is limited.
Youngstown State University and Ohio State University were also chosen to receive the dogs.
In a press release, it was noted the dog is being placed at BGSU "in an effort to enhance the safety
of (the university) and the surrounding area…" and that "an (Ohio Homeland Security) grant
covers the purchase and training for the canine, and provides funding for veterinarian bills and other
equipment."
The dog will be a male Belgian Malinois named Jerry. The breed, also known as the Belgian Shepherd, is
sometimes mistaken for a German Shepherd and is similar in appearance.
The American Kennel Club lists the animal as "an alert, high-energy breed, popular as both a police
and military working dog."
"There’s a lot of excitement here," said BGSU Police Chief Monica Moll.
Jerry will "be assigned to Lt. John Stewart. He’ll go everywhere John goes," Moll explained.
Stewart, whose primary assignment is as a supervisor on the department’s midnight shift, was in Columbus
for the last five weeks training with Jerry.
"So it’s been pretty intensive training," Moll said.
Jerry is a single-purpose dog, she said, meaning he is trained only in explosive detection work, not in
other areas like finding drugs or apprehending suspects.
For two hours during each shift, Stewart will work with Jerry to keep his training up to date.
"A lot of what he’ll be doing in between calls will be… hiding things for Jerry to find and keep
up with his training and his scent work."
The dog must be certified every year through the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy, and there is also
quarterly maintenance training that must be done.
Additionally, Stewart’s police cruiser has been specially equipped for Jerry’s comfort, including
measures to make sure that the climate is kept at the right temperature, and to warn Stewart if the
vehicle gets too hot if Jerry has to be left in the car during a call.
"Everything’s sort of wired to cool down the car if it gets too hot and also remotely alert the
handler," said Moll.
While Jerry will be situated at BGSU, the goal of the Homeland Security pilot program is for him to be
available and accessible to other departments in the area that will have need of his services.
"It’s also understood that we’re going to allow other agencies to use it. So when they call us and
need something, John will respond in the Northwest Ohio area to any place that needs him."
Jerry is the only such animal available in Wood County, though there are others located regionally.
"The idea is to add a dog at the other state universities as well. But in the meantime" Stewart
and Jerry will also assist at the University of Toledo and Owens Community College.
Using 2012 as an example, when Pres. Barack Obama, Mitt Romney, and other prominent politicians made
multiple trips to the area, Moll predicted that Stewart and Jerry will be busy during the 2016 election.

Further, "there’s a lot of interest from student groups and schools" already to meet Jerry.
"There’s a lot of requests," Moll said, adding that Stewart and Jerry will likely be out
frequently to meet with groups.
"I imagine that’s going to keep John and Jerry busy," she said of the multi-faceted schedule.

Moll said the department is looking forward to Jerry’s arrival, but noted it will be important for the
staff as well to be trained on how to interact with him.
"He’s a working dog," she said. "He’s not a pet."