A bond that goes beyond the job: salisbury va health care system welcomes k9 lt. Baxter and sgt. Justice | va salisbury health care | veterans affairs

For thousands of years, dogs have been mankind’s best friend. With many dogs possessing naturally friendly and loyal personalities, it’s easy to see how the species took on this special role

above other domesticated animals. It was eventually discovered that man’s best friend could take on specialized roles, including assisting law enforcement professionals with keeping

communities safe. Since the late 1800s, dogs have worked side-by-side with law enforcement as K9 officers. At the Salisbury VA Health Care System, it’s no different; the Salisbury VA Police

Service is fortunate to have its own K9 officer, Lieutenant Baxter. The two-year-old yellow Labrador Retriever joined the team this past summer and has more than enough energy and curiosity

to keep his partner Sergeant Chris Justice, a Veteran and K9 handler with the Salisbury VA Police, busy. “He’s gentle,” said Sgt. Justice about Lt. Baxter. “He does his job, and he’s not

overwhelming when he’s around people and patients.” A California native, Sgt. Justice is a U.S. Army Veteran and has been in law enforcement for nearly 30 years. Lt. Baxter was born in

Washington and attended a training school near Raleigh, North Carolina, to become a police dog. Sgt. Justice and Lt. Baxter trained together, which helped form a powerful bond. That special

bond was how Salisbury VA Police knew Lt. Baxter would be a great fit. Lt. Baxter’s breed, temperament, and friendly personality make him a great fit for his duties at the Salisbury VA

campus, which often includes walking the corridors and interacting with Veterans, employees, and volunteers on a daily basis. What further cements this dynamic duo relationship is the fact

that Lt. Baxter goes home with Sgt. Justice. Sgt. Justice cares for Lt. Baxter around the clock both at home and on the job, including taking the K9 to veterinarian appointments and ensuring

he has top-quality food, care, exercise, and rest time. Like his human law enforcement colleagues, Lt. Baxter is considered a federal employee, and there are strict guidelines on how he is

cared for, right down to what kind of vehicle he can travel in. “He’s what’s important to the VA. What I do is just interpret everything for him. He is the useful tool. All I do is get him

to where he needs to be,” added Sgt. Justice. Serving all four Salisbury VA locations, the pair is the only VA Police K9 handler team serving the Carolinas. Their main duties include

investigating narcotics, touring each Salisbury VA health care facility, meeting with Veterans,  and helping track lost patients and individuals. The pair looks forward to continuing to meet

and engage with Veterans and employees to help build relationships with inside and outside partners and better serve the community. Thank you for your service, Lt. Baxter and Sgt. Justice!

To learn more about Salisbury VA Police, please visit www.salisbury.va.gov or email the Office of Strategic Communications and Public Affairs at [email protected]. At the

Salisbury VA Health Care System, our mission is to fulfill President Lincoln’s promise to care for those who have served in our nation’s military and for their families, caregivers, and

survivors.