Hansel’s life was about to end in euthanasia, but thanks to timely intervention, he was rescued and placed in a K9 training program. Hansel is now living his best life as an arson detection dog.
Hansel’s journey
Hansel had it tough in life. He is a pit bull that suffered from abuses in a dogfighting ring in Canada. Hansel was supposed to be put down because of Ontario’s ban on pit bulls. Thankfully, a man named Rob Scheinberg changed the court’s decision, so Hansel and many other dogs were rescued.
Hansel was first sent to a shelter in Florida and later deployed to the Throw Away Dogs Project in Philadelphia. This organization trains rescue dogs to become K9 Officers.
Hansel trained At Throw Away Dogs for a year to become an arson detection dog. This smart pooch passed his training splendidly and was placed on active duty at Millville Fire Department.
Interestingly, Hansel was the first of his breed to become an arson detection dog. His job primarily involves detecting fire-causing liquids such as diesel and gasoline. Hansel takes his job seriously, and he is committed to keeping his community safe against fires.
A new life for Hansel
Hansel did not just land a job for himself, but he also found his best friend in his handler, fire officer Tyler Van Leer. Tyler says that he and Hansel are practically inseparable. They do everything together, whether they’re on duty or are simply enjoying a fun time during their days off.
Although Hansel looks serious on the job, he’s actually a very friendly dog. He loves meeting new people and enjoys the company of kids. He’s also a puppy at heart and could never say “no” to playing fetch.
Fire officer Tyler is proud to be Hansel’s handler and best friend. This dog means a lot to him and the fire department. Hansel was recently awarded the Hero Dog for 2021 Law Enforcement and Detection by the Hero Dog Awards.
Hansel has found his purpose in life, and that is to serve and protect the community. He certainly deserves all the love and recognition that comes his way.
Thanks to arsonk9hansel