AKC Humane Fund ACE Award Winner – Uniformed Service Canine: Rosco

AKC Humane Fund ACE Award Winner – Uniformed Service Canine: Rosco

Interview with the Handler: Lt. John Haning

1. Becoming a Uniformed Service K-9 is a demanding career choice. How did you and Rosco get your start?

Lt. John Haning: Rosco, a two-year-old Labrador Retriever, began his journey by graduating from Jordan Detection K9 Training in May 2022 as an Electronic Storage Detection (ESD) K9. Following his training, he joined the Rogers County Sheriff’s Office, where we partnered to combat predators exploiting children. We work on the homeland security investigations (Tornado Alley Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force) and the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.

2. What training was needed to become adept at performing this very important work?

Lt. John Haning: Rosco underwent specialized training to detect electronic storage devices by identifying the scent of triphenylphosphine oxide (TPPO), a chemical coating found on circuit boards. This training enables him to locate hidden devices such as mobile phones, USB drives, laptops, hard drives, and SD cards, even if they are concealed underwater or underground.

3. The Labrador Retriever is universally appreciated for its work ethic and its love of people. Are these innate characteristics useful in your work?

Lt. John Haning: Absolutely. Labradors like Rosco possess a keen sense of smell, strong hunting drive, and a love for food, making them ideal for ESD work. Their friendly demeanor also helps in situations requiring a calming presence, as demonstrated when Rosco comforted a distressed 15-year-old girl during a high-stakes operation.

4. Can you share a story that demonstrates how Rosco has made a difference in the lives of those he serves?

Lt. John Haning: In a significant operation, Rosco’s keen sense of smell led us to two hidden digital storage devices containing evidence that resulted in a doctor facing a 30-year prison sentence for creating explicit content involving minors. Additionally, Rosco’s presence helped to calm a 15-year-old girl with special needs found during the raid, showcasing his dual role in detection and emotional support. This was in Ecuador.

5. The work that you and Rosco perform must be disturbing at times. How do you both maintain a positive outlook?

Lt. John Haning: Engaging in challenging operations can be emotionally taxing. However, focusing on the positive outcomes, such as rescuing victims and bringing perpetrators to justice, helps to maintain our morale. For Rosco, regular playtime and relaxation are essential, allowing him to recharge and continue performing his duties effectively. Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force cases are the most difficult cases that a law enforcement officer can work, and we have a high burn out rate. Having Rosco as a partner helps me think about him and not about the cases we work.