Labrador K9 Abby recently turned six and will be retiring soon with her handler Cpl. Thomas Boettcher.
Abby is famously known as being the Richmond County Marshal Office’s first working dog regularly protecting the Augusta Regional Airport by sniffing out and searching for any possible threats.
“We’ve never found a real explosive here, and I hope we never do, but I think the main mission of having her here is to keep it away,” said Boettcher. “It’s enough of a scare to where people see her and think ‘I won’t want to try it here.’ But if we ever do get that call, I’m very confident that she would find it.”
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First named Lucky as a puppy, marshals decided to change her name to “Abby” inspired by the Roman goddess Abeona. Abeona was the goddess of outward journeys and was tasked with watching over travelers on their expeditions.
“We renamed her because we wanted her name to have meaning. The Chief Deputy suggested it, and we all liked it. It just sort of stuck. Her name means protecting the traveling public. It doesn’t get any more meaningful and better than that,” said Boettcher. “But, I mean, ‘Lucky?’ I don’t want my dog to be lucky, I want her to be good.”
According to Boettcher, Abby first started to train at six or seven weeks through exposure to various sounds and items such as mirrors, loud noises, cars, food, etc. Boettcher says it is a time when trainers get future K9s predisposed to possible distractions and triggers at an early age to identify which individual dogs will be a good fit for the job.
“Some dogs just never adjust to those distractions and those just turn out to be good pets,” said Boettcher.
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After the Marshal’s Office purchased her when she was one and half, Boettcher and Abby partnered and underwent a four-week course. Since then, both get recertified once every year by the International Police Work Dog Association. To be constantly read for recertification and any threats to the airport, Boettcher shared that he and Abby train a little bit every day.
“It continues almost on a daily basis. We have real explosives and odors that I will try and put out at least once a day. Most times, when it’s quiet, I can put them out several times a day. But it’s continuous, to keep her brushed up but it also motivates her,” he said. “If I were to come in here every day, for eight hours a day, and just walk around sniffing and doing nothing, she would get bored. Practicing and training keeps her busy and motivated. It keeps her wanting to come here and serves as a reminder of why we do.”
Boettcher motivates Abby and loves to play ball with her as a reward for doing a good job working.
Boettcher encourages airport visitors to get to know Abby because she’s extremely friendly even though she is working.
“I mean, she loves up to you, but she checks your bag beforehand,” he said. “I just think she is the perfect package. She does what we need her to do, but she is also people-friendly. If it doesn’t interfere with her work, why not let people pet her? For other working dogs it might be different, but it is amazing to see all the support Abby and I get from the staff and visitors.”
Boettcher emphasized how regular flyers and staff at the airport love seeing and petting Abby; even pilots, who rarely leave their cabins, will leave their plane to come visit with her.
Boettcher said he is very appreciative towards the Marshal’s office for its constant support and recognition of Abby’s hard work. He shared how the Marshal’s Office wishes a “Happy Birthday” to Abby on its Facebook page and even displays her picture on the wall amongst other officers.
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Boettcher continued by sharing why he thinks a Labrador K9 is a better fit for the environment at Augusta’s airport rather than a traditional German Shepherd, and how Abby’s size gains more trust and support from outsiders.
“If you look at her, people just accept her more than they would a big German Shepherd with pointy ears. I think her appearance and personality has a lot to do with that,” he said. “People accept her and, because of her size, half the time they don’t even pay her any attention. Whereas people lock up and get all tense when they see a 100-pound German Shepherd walking in. With her, they think ‘Oh look, cute little puppy’ while she’s over there smelling their bags.”
At the end of the workday, Boettcher said he takes off Abby’s chunky collar which acts as a signal that she’s home and off-duty.
Boettcher thinks the distinction between home and work is important because he believes Abby needs to understand when she is allowed to be just a dog. To him, Abby needs to know when she is allowed to just play and have a break.
“Home is home. She’s allowed to jump on the couch and play in her little splash pool outside. We don’t give her treats and stuff like a normal pet would get. She’s still a working dog, but she gets to ‘let her hair down,’” he said.
Despite her constant training, friendly personality and loyalty, Boettcher shared that Abby is still an animal and has her bad days like everyone. On their rough days, like true partners, Boettcher said their bond allows them to encourage and overcome possible frustrations.
“It’s not a perfect world. Working dogs are still dogs. They’re like a 2-year-old. There are some days when you get frustrated with them,” said Boettcher. “There are some days where she knows that I am not in the mood and some days where she’s not in the mood. We kind of feed off of each other and try to lift each other up on days like that.”
For those who are interested in becoming a K9 handler, Boettcher said it is a 24-hour job that requires a regimented, steady schedule. There are no days off, vacation or weekend breaks from taking care of your four-legged partner.
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If she’s sick on a Saturday, Boettcher said she has to go to the vet right then and there — not on Monday, when he’s back on the clock.
“We get up at 5 a.m. every day. We have a set schedule. We don’t stop on Saturdays and Sundays like the gun belt I can take off, put up and I’m done,” said Boettcher. “Some people think ‘all you do is just hold a leash’ and it’s not. It’s seven days a week. You have to love this job.”
Despite the constant care and attention Abby needs, Boettcher shared his incredible pride and love for her.
“She’s just perfect, and I think that’s why you’re hearing that they want to expand the program,” he said. “I just love this job and I’m so proud of her. It’s very rewarding.”
A new working dog will be starting in a month or two to help out and eventually take over Abby’s turf at the Augusta Regional Airport. Boettcher is not entirely sure what Abby and himself will do after official retirement but hopes to still be a little involved in working at the airport because of Abby’s love for the workplace.
Liz Wright covers education and general assignments for The Augusta Press. Reach her at liz@theaugustapress.com
