Febee. (Prince Albert Police Service)

By Jaryn Vecchio

Enjoying Retirement

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Mar 29, 2023 | 3:00 PM

A former K9 with the Prince Albert Police Service (PAPS) is ‘paws-itively’ enjoying her new life away from the job.

Febee the German Shepherd retired earlier this year after working with the force for roughly seven years.

Her handler Sgt. Kelsey Bighetty told paNOW they’ve worked together since 2018, so saying goodbye to his longtime partner was hard.

“It was definitely tough to hang up her harness and let her enjoy regular things, a dog’s life.”

Febee officially joined PAPS back in 2015. She ended up being deployed to over 300 calls.

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Bighetty explained Febee loved her job, especially search efforts. This was evident when the pair competed at the 2022 Canadian Police Canine Association National Trials, placing 5^th in the ‘Building Search’ category.

Febee and Sgt. Bighetty (left) with Kal and Cst. Mat Brown (right) at the 2022 Canadian Police Canine Association National Trials. (Prince Albert Police Service)

Despite being an expert at her job, Febee was known to be quite active when off the clock.

“She’s kind of a goofier dog,” Bighetty joked. “But, when it’s time to work, she focuses and gives 110 per cent.”

Febee is currently enjoying her retirement in the countryside.

Throughout her career with PAPS, she was living with Bighetty. He said it took some time getting used to not living together anymore.

“She was a police service dog, but also a family dog,” he said.

The good news is Bighetty still has opportunities to see Febee and catch up with his former partner.

Right now, he doesn’t know if he’ll continue to work for the Canine Unit as there are a lot of up-and-coming officers wanting to take part, however, if given the chance he explained he’d stay in a heartbeat.

Meanwhile, PAPS has still not found Febee’s replacement. In the meantime, fellow German Shepherds Kal and Ares are holding down the fort.

PAPS Canine Unit has been up and running since 1976.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow