Several years ago, when a young girl went missing in the woods in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi State University Police Department was called to assist the search. And thanks to countless hours of training and preparation, Sgt. Patrick Jenkins and his K-9 partner Migel were ready when it counted.

“We probably spent 45 minutes in the woods, maybe tracked about … two and a half miles in, and then we found her,” Jenkins told The Dispatch on Thursday. “…Getting a call out, putting all your training to use, and finding someone that is missing or needs help, it’s really rewarding.”

Jenkins shared this memory as one of Migel’s many accomplishments in his 11 year career at MSUPD, which ended on July 17 with a retirement celebration filled with tennis balls. The department also swore in new K-9 Padi.

Jenkins said he originally started working with the university’s police department about 15 years ago. But about 11 years ago, MSUPD added K-9s to its force, and Jenkins started working with Migel, a Belgian malinois and German shepherd cross. Migel was handpicked for the job by  Von Klein Stein Working Dogs out of Sherwood Arkansas.

“They have breeders they work with overseas, and they handpick dogs for specific environments,” Jenkins said. “So when I had a conversation with them 11 years ago, saying ‘hey we want a dog for a university environment that can do its job and still be out in public’ … I can’t say how much they delivered.”

Jenkins said the police K-9 kennel supplies all of the dogs for MSUPD, selecting dogs based on their hunt drive and willingness to work, along with other personality traits. The dogs also learn skills like explosive detection, tracking, apprehension and handler protection.

MSUPD Chief Kenneth Rogers said in a statement emailed to The Dispatch that all of the dogs on the force are “highly skilled and highly trained” to serve the community.

“They assist with providing a safe environment at many events that are held on campus, from sporting events, commencement, concerts, and programs led by student organizations,” Rogers wrote. “The (K-9s) are also used to assist other law enforcement agencies in the area and are a good resource to have when the need arises.”

Migel performed well at all of his tasks, but Jenkins said one of his skills really stood out.

“His explosive detection is really, really what kind of set him apart in my opinion,” Jenkins said. “He just has a phenomenal little nose. We were able to get all of our certifications, and then get him … on basically the federal standard of explosives as well, which is just a little bit of a higher level, a few more scents.”

Jenkins said Migel probably covered about “80-90%” of events on campus with pre-event sweeps since he joined the force. Migel also responded to bomb threats the university received, along with other threats reported in the city or county, Jenkins said. Migel’s search style was always “slow” and “methodical,” Jenkins said, since the dog would sniff every object in a given area.

But Migel’s scent skills were just one of the reasons he was right for the job. Jenkins said he is also a “super social, playful dog” with a willingness to work.

“He loved to be in crowds,” Jenkins said. “He loved to meet people. He loved to search for explosives. He will do anything in the world for a tennis ball. I mean, absolutely anything.”

Jenkins said he and Migel also formed a “Velcro relationship,” since they spent all day every day together, even on vacations.

“We’ve been together for 11 years,” Jenkins said. “I have probably spent more time (with him) than I have with my wife, and that’s only because he’s with me at work every day. When I was working shift work, he was with me 12 hours, and he was home with me 12 hours.”

Migel was set to cross 12 years with MSUPD this coming October, longer than the average working dog career. But a few months ago, Jenkins noticed some changes in Migel’s back end, as he started cross-stepping instead of walking normally.

An appointment with a university veterinarian led to Migel’s diagnosis. He has degenerative myelopathy – a neurological disease that affects some dogs’ spinal cords, leading to a lack of control of the back limbs.

“Migel is starting to get paralyzed in his back end, and at that time, we knew ‘hey, he’s not going to be able to continue to work. Let’s give him the best retirement, the best home life we can, for as long as we can,’” Jenkins said.

Jenkins called the retirement “bittersweet.” He said Migel still wants to go to work every morning, despite his health issues. Jenkins is also not used to going to work or being seen on campus without Migel by his side.

“Anywhere we go, it wasn’t ‘hey it’s Patrick,’” Jenkins said. “It was ‘hey, it’s Migel.’ Nobody knew who Patrick was, and I’m perfectly fine with that, because I think it gives our dogs recognition and that’s a great thing.”

Jenkins is now working with the department’s newest K-9, Padi, a full blooded malinois who will be walking in Migel’s pawprints. Working with a new dog will take some adjustments, Jenkins said, due to differences like a more constant work drive and faster search speed, along with simple differences in personalities between the two.

While the transition comes with its challenges, Jenkins said the reward is worth it.

“I would not be taking a second dog if I did not absolutely enjoy what I do,” Jenkins said.

Thanks to his new partnership with Padi, Jenkins said, Migel has a new little sister at home. The retiree has also been enjoying time on the couch and spending time with Jenkins’ one-year-old child.

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