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K-9 Officer Remy Goes to the Head of the Class

By JOSELYN KING 3 min read

WHEELING - Middle Creek Elementary School students took a few licks of joy from an actual K-9 police officer Thursday - and the dog seemed happy doing his job.

Ohio County Sheriff's Department K-9 "Remington" - called "Remy" for short - and his handler Sgt. Nicole Seifert paid a visit to the school so that certified therapy dog Remy could socialize and even snuggle with the students for a while.

Third-grade students in classes taught by Stacy Allen and Katrina Smith have been reading the book "Dog Heroes," and were given the opportunity to meet Remy up close.

It was a beautiful sunny day, and the students gathered in the grass under a shade tree so the golden retriever could offer proper greetings.

Seifert began by asking any of the students if they were afraid of dogs, or had any allergies.

Remy, it seems, is very friendly and just wants to get to know everybody.

"But he doesn't know about 'personal space,'" Seifert explained as he nuzzled up to the sitting students. "If you don't want him on you, I apologize."

Seifert explained Remy came to join the sheriff's department as a comfort dog following a grant from the Ohio Valley Wellness Coalition, and was born at a farm in Pennsylvania. He is trained in obedience and comforting people.

But Remy is 2½ years old, and is a "COVID puppy," Seifert told the children.

"We couldn't get out in public, and this made it difficult for him to be able to interact with people," she said.

Since then, Remy has been a frequent visitor to the Ohio County Magistrate's Office, fire departments and festivals, according to Seifert.

Remy has resided with Seifert since he was 8 months old.

"He stays with me all the time, and even jumps up and sleeps in the bed with me," Seifert said. "He gets a lot of love and attention from everyone. It's the life to have."

Seifert works as a detective in the sheriff's office focusing on domestic violence cases, but she said Remy doesn't respond to calls out of concern for his safety. He is more apt to offer comfort to victims while they are in the sheriff's office. And no, he is not a drug dog, she continued.

"He is strictly for cuddles and things like that," Seifert said.

Remy was a short treat in the middle of the day for the students.

"When I saw him, my heart started pumping with happiness," said Melody Blum.

Her classmate Logan Stewart echoed her thoughts.

"He made me happy," Stewart said.

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