MILFORD, PA — There’s a new top dog in town and a new fund at Greater Pike Community Foundation to support him. A three-and-a-half-year-old German shepherd named K-9 Medic, who joined the Pike County Sheriff’s Office late last year as a narcotics dog, is the impetus behind the Pike County Sheriff K-9 Fund at Greater Pike.

Sheriff Brian Vennie started the fund early this year solely through donations and fundraisers, such as calendar and T-shirt sales. No county money was involved. “My goal is to provide as much service as possible to the people of Pike County without using taxpayer dollars,” said Vennie. “I had a resident walk into my office recently and hand me a $5,000 check for the fund.” 

The fund will support every aspect of the K-9 program, including equipment, training, food and grooming supplies, veterinary care and vehicle-related costs. 

“There were over 300 drug investigations in Pike County last year,” said Vennie. “The Pennsylvania State Police have K-9 units, but there hasn’t been a dog in Pike County since 2005, when our last K-9 dog, Seamus, retired.”

Getting a new dog was a top priority for Vennie when he took office on February 4, 2025. Medic arrived eight months later as a gift from the Anthony Mercuri K-9 Academy in Waverly, where Medic was trained. 

“I got my partner in October,” said Deputy Michael Church, Medic’s handler. “He’s with me 24/7 and resides at my home.” 

Medic is expected to obtain certification from the U.S. Police Canine Association in March and from the Pennsylvania State Police in May. This summer, he and Church will travel to a national training program in western Pennsylvania focused on the use of dogs in drug-related cases. 

“We are thrilled to welcome this new fund to the Greater Pike family. K-9 Medic is already an asset to this community, and now residents have a simple way to support his work and the safety of everyone in Pike County,” said Rick Little, Greater Pike’s executive director.

Donations are welcome at www.greater

pike.org/funds (scroll down to “Pike County Sheriff K-9 Fund”). T-shirts are available at the sheriff’s office, 412 Broad St. in Milford. The office also conducts fundraisers via its Facebook site, which can be found by searching Pike County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit, PA on Facebook.

Greater Pike offers individuals, families and local businesses an opportunity to provide a permanent and personal way to give back to the community. For more information, contact Little at 570/832-4686, ricklittle@greaterpike.org, or visit www.greaterpike.org, www.Facebook.com/GreaterPike and www.Instagram.com/GreaterPikeCF.