Police K-9 handlers, dogs form strong bond

When Polk County Master Deputy Joseph Gill goes to work, his best friend is by his side. His best friend just happens to be a four-and-a-half year old German shepherd named Shea.

"I spend more time with this dog than I do with anyone else," said Gill. "If I go to work, he's with me. If I'm at home, he's with me. If I'm out back, he's playing with me."

K-9 handlers like Gill understand the bond St. Petersburg Police officer Jeff Yaslowitz had with his dog, Ace.

Ace wasn't involved in the attempted capture of Hydra Lacy Monday morning, but the death of Yaslowitz leaves many questions about Ace's future.

City leaders said earlier this week the dog may be able to stay with Yaslowitz's widow, Lorraine, and their three children.

"Ace has been going home with Jeff every night and those kids consider that dog a pet," St. Petersburg Police Chief Chuck Harmon said Tuesday.

Harmon said he'd have to take into consideration what's best for Ace and the desires of the Yaslowitz family.

Lorraine Yaslowitz said in a radio interview on the "MJ Morning Show" Thursday that Ace is currently being cared for by other members of the K-9 unit.

"At this point, I really can't care for him. He's high maintenance and Jeff obviously took over all of that," she said. "I don't think Ace would be OK being here and realizing, 'why aren't me and daddy going to work?'"

Gill sees that kind of work ethic with Shea, with whom he has spent more than 600 hours training. He has taught Shea how to track and apprehend suspects and to sniff for drugs. Along the way, he has come to depend on the dog.

Their bond is evident. Shea follows Gill with his eyes, wherever he goes. The dog is always intently listening for the next command.

"He'll never cross you, he'll never leave you. He's always there for you no matter what," he said.

Gill's job is not all work and no play. Shea has been trained with the help of treats and toys. He loves to goof around. Gill keeps a piece of yellow rubber tubing in his pocket, which Shea grabs with his mouth whenever he can.

"Just like a normal house dog, all they want when you come home, they're jumping up on you, they're happy," Gill said with a laugh. "He's the same way. It's just all play time."

Gill said the bond between dog and handler is impossible to break.

"It's almost like a marriage, you come with these dogs," he said. "Any time I'm at work, he's in the backseat. Any time I need him he's there. He's like the best friend you could ever imagine."

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