An injured police dog who suffered life-threatening burns during a search operation is back on her paws and enjoying retirement just in time for Christmas.
Police dog Teo was seriously injured in September after falling into scalding geothermal water as soft ground gave way during a search in Rotorua.
The seven-year-old German Shepherd suffered severe burns, mainly to her hindquarters, and it was unclear whether she would survive.
Teo remained in critical care at Massey University's Veterinary Teaching Hospital after the incident, with her handler Constable Adam Johannsen rarely leaving her side.
Her gradual recovery was marked by several milestones: eating a full meal again, being discharged from Massey’s veterinary hospital, and eventually returning to coastal walks near home.
Three months on, Johannsen said although Teo's recovery had been a bit of a bumpy road, she was now doing great.
"She’s very much in the realm of being fully recovered and back to her normal self," Johannsen told Police's Ten One Magazine.
"She's enjoying her walks and swimming and enjoying the retirement she was promised."
Teo officially retired from her patrol work earlier this year, with plans to continue assisting search and rescue.
The day of her accident ultimately ended her operational career, concluding a successful seven-year stint in the police force.
But despite her near-death experience, Teo was still eager to be out doing her job.
"It was important to us she didn’t go back to work but, in all honesty, I think she would have been quite happy to," Johannsen said.
"Every day she’s trying to jump in the back of the van to come to work with me."
Teo had been paired with Johannsen since she was six months old, with the two graduating together as an operational team in 2018.
She quickly proved her strength in the force, tracking an offender on her very first day on the job and winning the award for best new operational dog in her first year.
Last year, Johannsen and Teo were awarded the Auckland City District’s Murray Morrisey Award for operational excellence.
Johannsen credited much of Teo's success to her tracking capabilities.
"She’s got a big heart and probably hasn’t been the hardest dog in terms of her apprehensions, but with her tracking she just gives that extra 10%.
"I get a lot of the credit, but it’s all her work."
Beyond arrests, Johannsen said Teo’s work in search and rescue had saved lives and helped recover bodies so families could find closure.
"She’s quite a remarkable dog and she just doesn’t give up,” he said. "She’s looked after me and saved me once or twice too.”
Johannsen said he was deeply grateful for the care Teo received, as well as the support from colleagues and the public.
"People have been ringing police stations to check how she’s doing, and someone even stopped me in the street the other day to ask if it was Teo with me," he said.
"The support has been incredible, and I’m just really grateful we’re where we are now."
Teo now enjoys her retirement, accompanied by Johannsen's pet dog and new trainee canine.
SHARE ME