A fluffy white Labrador raced around the room, intently sniffing in fake potted plants, around chairs and under tables. His goal was to find hidden electronic storage or communication devices.
The dog is Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Harrison. Harrison is an electronic storage detection K-9. He is also a certified anxiety and post traumatic stress disorder therapy dog.
Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Harrison shows his handler Lt. Doug Dupell where a cellphone is hidden on top of a sign. The phone was hidden about seven feet from the ground.
“If it was an internet crime on children case or something, there was a child that we find that was a victim,” Harrison’s handler Lt. Doug Dupell said. “(After the search), I turn right around, put the vest right back on, and we go to that child. We can start therapy for that child on scene. We don’t have to wait anymore. We don’t have to call and try to schedule an appointment or try to get somebody there.”
Harrison goes around the sheriff’s office every morning to check on the well-being of deputies and support staff, Dupell said. As Harrison strutted down the hallway one Monday, several staff members smiled and called out, “Good morning, Harrison.”
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Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Harrison cuddles with his handler Lt. Doug Dupell. Dupell said he and Harrison have shared a bond ever since they first met.
What does Harrison do?
Harrison can search for any electronic devices that have the capability to send, receive or store data. Harrison is trained to detect the scent of triphenylphosphine oxide, also known as TPPO. TPPO is a substance used in the manufacturing of electronic devices.
Most of Harrison’s searches are for child sexual exploitation cases, though he has helped in searches for other types of cases, Dupell said.
Dupell hid a cellphone and a canister of TPPO in a meeting room at the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office to show off Harrison’s skills.
“We buried this one (the phone) in 13 inches of ground about two weeks ago, and let it sit over a weekend. Then we searched for it,” Dupell said. “Took him (Harrison) a little bit because it was deeper, but he picked it up.”
Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Harrison poses for a picture at Hickory Police Department’s National Night Out.
Dupell removed Harrison’s vest, signaling to Harrison that it was time to search the room. Harrison immediately ran to a nearby potted plant, sniffed the plant then sat down. This indicated Harrison found something.
Dupell reached into the plant and removed the canister of TPPO. Dupell told Harrison he was a good boy before giving Harrison some food from the palm of his hand. Harrison then continued sniffing around the room until he found the hidden phone.
Harrison has worked with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation and Homeland Security outside of his work with the sheriff’s office. Harrison is able to assist any agency in North Carolina if he is available for the search, Dupell said.
Harrison and Dupell also go to community events and schools to meet children who are learning about internet safety.
Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Harrison and his handler Lt. Doug Dupell, right, greet children at the Hickory Police Department’s National Night Out on Aug. 6.
Harrison spent more than a year doing anxiety and PTSD therapy training at Dogs Inc. in Palmetto, Florida. Harrison then went to Jordan Detection K-9 in Indianapolis, Indiana, for the electronic detection training. The training in Indiana lasted around five months, Dupell said.
“We became a team on March 16 when we graduated from Jordan (Detection K-9),” Dupell said. “Flew home on March 17, and then we were here at work on the 19th.”
Since beginning his work at the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office, Harrison has done 11 searches, Dupell said.
When Harrison isn’t working, he enjoys playing with his family, including Dupell’s other two dogs. Harrison also goes on every family vacation since Harrison is always fed out of Dupell’s hand and never from a food bowl because of Harrison’s training.
Harrison’s training, food expenses and annual veterinary trips are paid for by a grant through the nonprofit OUR Rescue, Dupell said.
Awards and contests
Harrison was recently picked to be featured on a challenge coin for charity.
The challenge coins are a fundraising initiative by the North Carolina Police K9 Foundation. North Carolina Police K9 Foundation uses the funds raised from the coin sales to purchase medical and naloxone kits for police K-9 units across the state.
Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Harrison takes a nap on the legs of an office chair.
The front of the coin says, “Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office” and features a photo of Harrison. The backside is graphic design of Harrison with various electronic devices in the background and says, “What predators conceal, ESD K9’s can reveal.” The edge of the coin says, “NC Police K9 Foundation.”
Dupell said fellow K-9 handler and children’s book author Laura Grantham helped design the back of the coin.
To buy a coin, visit the North Carolina Police K9 Foundation Facebook page and click the in the posts about Harrison.
Harrison is currently in the running for the American Humane Society’s Hero Dog Awards. Voting ends on Sept. 15. To vote, visit .
Harrison can be followed on Facebook at . Dupell said anyone who wants to have Harrison come to a community event can message Harrison’s Facebook page or contact the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office at 828-758-2324.
