From bite suit to best friends: Meet K9 Handler Zach and K9 Barrett
Hannah Roberts, Staff Writer
Picture courtesy of K9barrett_ngu Instagram page.
The North Greenville University community may have noticed a rising social media star across their Instagram feed. “K9barrett_ngu” the official Instagram page of NGU campus security’s K9 Barrett and his handler Sergeant Zach Augustine has accumulated 1,053 followers since the page’s first post on May 6, 2019.
The page documents Barrett’s participation at NGU events such as football games and Required Chaos Improv shows. But for Augustine, Barret’s Instagram serves a much more important purpose than just showing off Barrett’s social life on campus.
“A lot more people like dogs than people who wear badges and guns for a living,” said Augustine. Barrett’s Instagram page helps to bridge the gap between the NGU community and campus security. Augustine makes it his mission working with campus security to create a bond with the student body.
“I have always had a desire to be a part of something bigger than myself,” said Augustine. Growing up on a military base, the act of serving others had a strong influence on Augustine’s life. Three and a half years ago Augustine began working with NGU’s campus security team after he received an invitation from his best friend.
Augustine strived to be the best officer he could be, and sometimes that pushed him to try new things. Augustine’s first introduction to working with K9’s was two years ago when Officer William Farina introduced K9 Stoki. Somebody had to wear the bite suit for Stoki’s bite and apprehension training. “I was crazy enough to say yes,” said Augustine.
Having that opportunity to watch a dog work and observe how a person has the ability to communicate and bond with dogs inspired Augustine to pursue becoming a K9 handler himself.
The first time Augustine met Barrett was at a canine training group day when all the local agencies get together. “I got to make myself look like an absolute dummy in front of every other handler out there trying to stumble my way through just basic commands,” said Augustine.
He explained both himself and Barrett are hard-headed, so they had an initial head-butting process before they started to grow a bond. But after hours of challenging work and passing training, Augustine and Barrett are now inseparable best friends.
“Working a dog and going through canine training has been one of the most difficult things I’ve done professionally,” said Augustine, “I came out with a much better understanding of what it is to serve and to work with another animal. I’ve definitely become a better officer and a better man.”
Because there is no such thing as a “status quo” when working with K9’s, Barrett and Augustine continue to train every day to make improvements. “Even on days off we are working on something,” said Augustine. Working as a dog handler is a lifestyle, every part of Augustine’s day somehow involves Barrett.
When students see Augustine and Barrett on campus, they should not run up to pet Barrett. Barrett is a patrol dog with bite and apprehension training, so he might misinterpret fast or aggressive movements. Barrett does have a “do not pet” badge on his collar. However, Augustine still encourages students to take pictures with Barrett. “He’s on everyone’s Snapchat,” said Barrett. When in doubt about how to interact with Barrett, students should just ask Augustine.
