Written by Chelsea Mercado, Trainer at K9 Law Enforcement
Professional photography by VividLenz
One of SA’s top crime fighters is a gentle Labrador named Sandy, who was surrendered by owners who no longer wanted her. In the process, she found her purpose in life.
A special bond
Sandy, born sometime in 2013 (we are unable to get an exact birth date because she is a rescue dog), was donated to K9 Law Enforcement because her previous owners didn’t want her any longer. We welcomed Sandy with open arms because she was, after all, just so cute.
From the beginning, Sandy and her handler, Monica Tessendorf, had a very strong and close bond. Sandy would keep an eye out for Monica and bounce around in excitement when she saw her coming to fetch her for training.
K9 Law Enforcement decided that Monica should take Sandy home because it was the best decision for Sandy. Little did we know that Sandy would be sleeping on Monica’s bed every night from that day forward.
At first, Monica only played ball with Sandy to help increase Sandy’s ball drive and teach her what it was to have lots of fun. Monica praised Sandy a lot and made sure that she knew that chasing the ball was exactly what Monica wanted her to do.
Drug-busting pooch
After a few weeks, Monica moved on to teaching Sandy how to use her exceptional sense of smell to detect illegal narcotics. Monica was dedicated to Sandy’s training, and within the next year, Sandy started working operationally at South Africa’s international airports in South Africa. Monica and Sandy also assisted SAPS with many drug busts and drug raids, as well as searched multiple schools and drug rehabilitation centres.
In the eight years that Monica and Sandy worked together, they recovered over 300 consignments of illegal narcotics. Her biggest package was 12kg of crystal meth (“tik”), a dangerous drug that, thanks to this dynamic duo, never made it onto the street to harm people.
Sandy loves being around children and has proudly done multiple demonstrations at schools to help make children aware of drug use and how dogs can help fight crime. Sandy loved educating the children and enjoyed the attention.
A well-earned retirement
Now that Sandy is retired after many years of dedicated service to our country, her hobbies include swimming, going for walks, and relaxing on the top step of the swimming pool – retirement at its best!
We want to thank Sandy for keeping our country safe and thank her for her dedication and hard work over her lifetime. Sandy will always be remembered as one of the best drug detection dogs in South Africa. Thank you for your service, K9 Sandy.
Monica shares...
From the first day Sandy and I met each other, we formed a very close bond. Over the many years that she and I worked together, Sandy became my shadow. As the saying goes, “Man’s Best Friend” – she truly has become my best friend.
I do miss working with Sandy and having her by my side, but I also know that she has worked so hard over the last few years and deserves a wonderful retirement. Luckily, I am privileged to still have her with me, and that we are able to still cuddle when sleeping. She loves to cuddle!
