A ruff job: K9 team keeps OHIO safe

Sniff. Sniff. Sniff. 

Whether attending a football game, watching a concert or heading to class, Ohio University students have a chance of running into two furry Ohio University Police Department (OUPD) officers who have their noses to the ground – Alex and Bach. 

The explosive detection canines are constantly smelling. It’s how they work. 

While they have normal dog habits like watching deer or squirrels and loving head scratches, they are trained to detect 23 different types of odors related to explosives. From plastic explosives to dynamite, the dogs are trained to alert their handlers if they smell anything amiss. 

For Alex, he’s rewarded with food. For Bach, he gets to chew on his favorite tennis ball. It lets them know they’ve done a good job. 

Alex and his handler, Officer Tim Woodyard, have worked together at the Ohio University Police Department(opens in a new window) (OUPD) since 2014. On Oct. 1, both will retire, with Woodyard giving 22 years of service to the University and Alex serving eight.  

“He’s nine, and he’s getting to the point where he’s slowing down. Some of the bigger, all-day events take a lot more energy from him than it used to,” Woodyard said. “It’s better to retire him now along with me than really push him.”

Bach, however, is just getting started. At four years old, he’s a little older starting out as a canine officer, but his handler Officer Brandon King is no stranger to the University. He has worked alongside Woodyard for 21 years, and he is excited for this next chapter with Bach. 

While Alex is a rescue dog, Bach is a chocolate American Hunting Labrador Retriever. Not originally purchased to be a canine officer, he was donated for the program. King and Bach completed the Explosive Detection Canine training in May(opens in a new window).

“When looking for a dog, they often look at their drive and how determined they are,” King said. “In training, they’re tested to see how they do around loud sounds, heights, things like that. The most fearless, confident dogs with the most drive normally make the best K9 officers.”

While there is rarely a real alert, the dogs are trained every day. The officers hide small explosive decoys for the dogs to find. This keeps their senses sharp.

“When we go to trainings with other canine teams, a lot of times it stands out how excellent our dogs are. That credit really goes to the chiefs who have put an emphasis on canine teams being canine teams first,” Woodyard said. “Our priority is to ensure these dogs are as good as they can be, and not every department gets that luxury.”

Often, the K9 teams go to various events across the state to provide support. Whether it’s a large concert, sporting event, political detail, parade or most recently, the 2022 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio, officers Woodyard and King attend with their partners to ensure the events are safe and secure. Being able to attend large events with Alex has been a favorite opportunity for Woodyard. 

“I’m thankful for the men and women I work with every day but working with Alex is icing on top of the cake for me and the opportunities that came with him,” Woodyard said.

When they’re not conducting a sweep or at an event, the canine officers can be found around campus, bringing smiles to OHIO students, faculty and staff members. 

“He’s so happy,” one student exclaimed after Bach came over to say hello on an August day. “What a good boy!” 

“I’m so excited! Can we pet them?” another said as the two canines and their handlers entered a first-year orientation class. 

After two students greeted Alex in the library, one turned to the other and asked, “Does that make you miss your puppy more?” The other nodded in reply. 

Woodyard and King agree that socialization is important for the dogs. It helps them be a part of the community. For a lot of students who come to Athens, they are often away from family pets. 

“During the first couple weeks of school and finals week, I have tons of people who come up and ask to pet Alex. They just love on him. You can tell they’re really missing their own pets at home,” Woodyard said. “He gives them comfort.” 

During his years of service, Alex has been a popular face across campus. For three years in a row, Alex was named “Best Athens Law Enforcement Officer” in The Athens News. 

“That was really neat because the students were the ones who voted him in,” Woodyard said.   

While the main role for the dogs is to keep the OHIO community safe, they are also a source of comfort for many. If they’re not on an active sweep or practicing, students are welcomed to come up and ask if they can pet the dogs. Bach and Alex will thank them, too – with tail wags and kisses. 

When mentioning his upcoming retirement, a student asked Woodyard if he was looking forward to it. “I am, but he won’t be,” he said, nodding towards Alex. “It’ll be harder for him to retire than me.” 

While Alex and Woodyard will be retiring officially on Oct. 1, the OHIO community is in good hands with King and Bach. 

“We have big shoes to fill,” King said. “Tim has created a great K9 program here and I want to follow in his steps. I’m a dog person, so I’m really looking forward to being in this dedicated K9 position here at the University.”