Portland pooch named a semifinalist in 2024 Hero Dog Awards

PORTLAND, Ore. ( KOIN ) — A Port of Portland Police bomb-sniffing K9 is in the running for the American Humane 2024 Hero Dog Awards.

K9 Jacky, a German shorthaired pointer who regularly patrols Portland’s public transportation routes, is a semifinalist for the award show’s “Law Enforcement and First Responder” category.

“K9 Jacky began her remarkable journey at Lackland Air Force Base, where she trained as an explosive-detection canine under the TSA’s expert guidance,” her hero profile reads . “Quickly earning top honors in her class, she embarked on an adventure to Portland.”

In February, Jacky was assigned to bomb-sniffing duty at Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas , where she helped to protect 61,629 people, including big stars like Patrick Mahomes, Usher and Taylor Swift. Jacky has also worked the Olympic Trials, the MLB All Star Game and the World Athletic Championship.

Jacky’s adventures in crimefighting are posted to Instagram by her handler and best pal Officer Charlie Berry. The account documents Jacky’s daily duties and her fun-filled days off.

“When she’s not on duty, Jacky explores the scenic Pacific Northwest, though her true joy is found in her work,” her hero dog page states. “Her dedication and enthusiasm remind us that with passion, anything is possible.”

People can cast their votes for Jacky or any other nominees through the American Humane Hero Dog Awards website. The “Military” category of this year’s Hero Dog Awards also features another semi-local good girl. K9 Niki , a 5-year-old Belgian-malinois-shepherd mix, serves for the U.S. Coast Guard in the Seattle area.

“Throughout her career, K9 Niki participated in over 250 high-stakes operations and logged more than 4,000 working hours,” her profile states. “She secured major events like the Rose Bowl, Seattle Seafair, the U.S. Olympic Team Trials, and played a crucial role in protecting high-ranking officials and vital maritime infrastructure.”

Voting for the current round closes on Oct. 9. The winners will advance to a group of five finalists, and one dog will be crowned America’s Hero Dog of the year.

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