Canine Officer Bobi's Story
Most of the animals that we see and treat here have stories. They're all exceptional in one way or another, and they're all accompanied by families who love and support them in the way only animal lovers can. This year however, we had the pleasure to meet an owner and a dog who weren't just family - they were partners. Officer Dave Dogali of the Stamford Police brought his K-9 partner Bobi to us for surgery to address severe back pain. During his time here, Bobi not only captured the hearts and admiration of the staff with his strength and personality, but he and Officer Dogali left an impression with their love and unwavering dedication to their partnership both on and off duty.
Officer Dogali was kind enough to share his experiences with Bobi and insights into the world of police officers and their K-9 partners:
" Bobi just turned five on July 12. He was born in the Czech
Republic and was trained and certified as a title one Shutzhund canine in
Romania. Bobi is an energetic, high-drive canine with an incredible work ethic. In 2009, we began our four month training
together after meeting and bonding for about six weeks. Upon completion of our canine academy, we
became a certified canine team through the North American Police Work Dog
Association and the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association. Bobi is a
certified Narcotics Canine Detector with the following capabilities: Tracking, Evidence Recovery, Building
Searches, Area Searches, and Apprehensions.
I initially
started seeing signs of discomfort in Bobi when he entered our patrol SUV. When
he would leap into the vehicle he would scream in pain and lay on his side until
the pain subsided. There were other incidents at home when he would run
or climb up stairs and the pain would strike, causing him to drop. I would comfort him for a short time and then it was like nothing ever
happened and he was ready for work again with one hundred percent energy.
I contacted Dr. Meenan of Rippowam Hospital who has taken care of Bobi since he was one year
old. She thoroughly examined him, suspected there was an issue that needed
specialization and sent me to Cornell University Veterinary Specialists to meet with Dr. Oliver Morgan.
My first visit
with Dr. Morgan started with an incredible staff that welcomed both Bobi and
I. There was a sense of “We’re here for you and we’re going to get through this
together.” I was then greeted by Dr.
Morgan’s technician Rachel Weissman who escorted Bobi and me to our examination
room. Rachel was very welcoming and extremely knowledgeable as she knew
exactly how to engage Bobi. A short time later, Dr. Oliver Morgan entered our room and introduced himself welcoming us to
CUVS. I was immediately impressed with Dr. Morgan’s’ presence as he
displayed an aura of professionalism and confidence. He made me feel at ease as we began talking
about Bobi’s episodes and symptoms. The
visit continued with a physical examination where once again I was taken with how Dr. Morgan knew exactly how to deal with Bobi. As Dr. Morgan examined Bobi, he immediately
recognized the issue and recommended an MRI to get a more detailed look at the
injury. He explained the details of the MRI and provided additional information
including cost and location. Our visit ended a short time after when I was
instructed to contact the hospital once the information was relayed to my
department and a decision was made to move forward. Bobi and I left the
hospital with a sense that CUVS was going to get us through our
ordeal.
I proceeded with
the MRI and the results were sent to Dr. Morgan where upon examining them,
he immediately observed what he initially suspected was the problem. We met
again and Dr. Morgan explained Bobi’s diagnosis along with his plan which
included performing a Dorsal Laminectomy. Dr. O. Morgan spoke with such
confidence in his plan as he told me this was not the first time he encountered,
treated and operated on this diagnosis. He advised me that he would provide a
detailed report of Bobi’s diagnosis, and his plan of action to my department.
After numerous
conversations with Dr. Morgan who completely answered all of my questions and
concerns, the time came when I arrived at CUVS for Bobi’s surgery.
Once again the hospital staff welcomed me and I met with Rachael and Dr.
Morgan. Dr. Morgan went over some last minute information and again gave me the
opportunity to address any of my concerns. At that point I was completely
prepared and I brought Bobi into the waiting area where we were met by Rachael
who took control of him. She advised me that she would contact me as soon as
there was any information and I watched Rachael walk Bobi into the treatment
area with such ease.
I waited in the front
lobby area for a while then responded to my vehicle as I awaited news about
Bobi’s surgery. After several hours, Rachael came out and advised me that Bobi
was doing well. Her announcement was made with such genuine joy and happiness.
I felt such a sense of appreciation that Bobi was being cared for by such
professional and compassionate people. A short time after, Dr. Morgan came
out to meet with me personally and the expression on his face was that of such
excitement and confidence. He advised me that the surgery went terrific; just
as he suspected and that Bobi did great. He assured me that the staff was going
to take good care of Bobi as he was going to stay the night and that he would
give me a follow up phone call later in the evening. I left CUVS in
complete confidence that Bobi was getting the best medical care and treatment
possible. Dr. Morgan called me later in
the evening and advised me that Bobi was recovering beautifully and that he was
standing on his own which was a good sign that the surgery went well.
I returned to
CUVS the next day as Bobi was ready to be discharged. Upon arrival
to the hospital, there was a feeling of pride and excitement in the air as
everyone seemed to know about Bobi and who he was. It appeared as though the
staff was proud to have been part of treating Bobi whose sole purpose is to
help keep our community safe.
The
recovery process was a critical part of the post-surgery. Dr. Morgan advised me
that Bobi’s movements needed to be completely monitored and controlled to
promote a safe and healthy recovery. I knew this was going to be tough due to
Bobi’s high energy and drive but my family and I were ready to do whatever was
needed to make Bobi’s recovery successful. During the early phase of Bobi’s
recovery, my family and I spent many hours keeping Bobi relaxed and comfortable
as we sat beside him keeping him content. The e-collar that Bobi wore
drove him crazy but it was necessary to keep his wound clean and dry. With some
attention and going through two of them, Bobi soon became acclimated to it. Initially
I needed use a sling which took some of the pressure off Bobi’s rear legs and gradually
got away from it as I controlled Bobi’s walk to a slow pace. I incorporated physical therapy for Bobi
throughout the day which included leg manipulations and short periods of time
where Bobi had to stand on his own. We
then moved on to some short and slow walks to medium length walks to longer
walks.
From that time
forward, Bobi’s recovery skyrocketed. He
was doing terrific so we progressed to some light runs to some longer ones and
he did great. We returned to CUVS for another evaluation and after
Dr. Morgan’s examination he felt as though Bobi was ready to slowly become
acclimated to returning to work. I began
taking Bobi to work with me without using him for service calls and continued
our workout regimen to get him stronger. A short time after based on Bobi’s
superb progress, Dr. Morgan allowed me to start utilizing Bobi for some light
police duties. We returned to our monthly K-9 training and I utilized Bobi for
a standard narcotics building search and a medium length track. It was as
though Bobi never missed a day of training or work as he was spot on and did a
terrific job.
We assisted with
numerous vehicle searches with narcotic finds
We assisted the
Narcotics and Organized Crime Unit with narcotic search warrants
We responded to
numerous residential and commercial burglaries and cleared the buildings
We responded to a
call involving a gunman and cleared the apartment with a five man entry team
We responded to numerous robberies and attempted tracks
We tracked and apprehended a suspect of a domestic assault
We assisted in apprehending a burglar suspect
These were just
a few incidents where Bobi was utilized and he’s continuing to do a terrific
job. One of my canine trainers Erich Grasso stated, “Bobi had so much energy
and drive before his surgery, now his energy is going to be through the roof.”
Erich was right, Bobi’s energy and drive is through the roof and it’s all
because of Dr. O. Morgan and the staff at Cornell Hospital. If Dr. Morgan was
not involved in Bobi’s surgery, I would not be here today with such a
successful story. I am so grateful to so many people. As I stated before and I
will repeat, Bobi is truly an incredible blessed Police Canine. He has so much
training and experience under his belt and such a future as a Police Canine.
Without Dr. Morgan’s’ assistance I don’t believe he would have been able
fulfill his destiny.
As we spoke
earlier about special people involved in Bobi’s experience, I must mention
about a special person who has been there almost as long as I have had Bobi. She is best known by some as the "Fairy Godmother" for dogs on the force. A long-time Stamford resident, I met her early in my K-9 career as my department advised me that she had
heard about our newly established canine unit and wanted to donate bullet proof
vests for our canines. I remember meeting her the day that our canines
were fitted for their vests. She sat nearby with a family member and watched
with such joy as each canine was brought in and fitted for their vest. A short time after returning to work, I was advised that she had
become aware of Bobi’s surgery and contacted the Stamford Police Department to
make arrangements to take care of Bobi’s surgical costs. Once again I was I was taken aback by the generosity, care, and love for Bobi that this "fairy godmother" had. My department, our unit, and I were and are so
grateful for her donation.
I will never forget how so many people assisted
with Bobi’s surgery and once again I would like to mention and thank them all.Dr. Oliver
Morgan, Rachael Weissman, the whole Cornell Hospital Staff, Dr.
Kathleen Meenan DVM, Stamford Police Chief Jon Fontneau, Stamford Assistant
Police Chief James Matheny, Mr. Joseph Hickey, Sgt. Richard
Phelan, the Stamford Police Canine Unit including our trainers and decoys, and
the whole Stamford Police Dept. who had Bobi in their thoughts and prayers."
Bobi's surgeon, Dr. Oliver Morgan, provided a little more information about the medical side of Bobi's condition and treatment. “Bobi has a disease called lumbosacral degenerative stenosis
(LDS), which can result in neurologic signs associated with spinal cord
compression in the region of the lower back. Bobi was having acute pain
while working as a police dog and was non-responsive to medical
management. While his signs were relatively subtle in that he could still
walk well, his discomfort while working was going to permanently prevent him
from being a working police dog.
Following an MRI that revealed compression of the spinal
cord at the region of L7-S1 (lower back area over the pelvis) a dorsal
laminectomy was performed that involves making a window into the spinal canal
and removing the source of the compression. Some of these patients also
require stabilization though Bobi did not.
I am so pleased that Bobi is back by Officer Dogali’s side
as a police dog with the Stamford Police. His owner followed his
rehabilitation diligently and his outcome is a testament to both Bobi and his
owner working together to facilitate a good result."
