Joins Fellow K9s Rune and Thor

For the last few years, beloved therapy K9s Rune and Thor have long been associated with providing comfort to the CSU community.

They now have a new friend – and co-worker – in town.

Two-year-old Axel is the second K9 Explosive detection K9 in programming that started in September 2014 through a Department of Homeland Security grant. Axel, who already has begun his tenure at CSU, replaced K9 Rex, who retired after nine years of service, subsequently renewing the university’s grant through Homeland Security.

Axel passed his 12-week training course in Hiram, Ohio, with flying colors and was assigned to his new handler, CSU Police Officer Daniel Aholt.

While Rune and Thor provide the CSU community with stress relief, Axel’s job differs because he is specially trained to detect explosives. He is also skilled in tracking items carried in by people, either on their persons or in bags, in mass transit and significant crowd event operational environments.

Please join us in welcoming K9 Axel! If you see him around campus, please stop and say “hello,” but remember to ask Officer Aholt if it is okay to pet Axel.