There’s a new law dog in town at Summit County Sheriff’s Office, thanks almost entirely to a generous local couple.
Jerry and Marge Gavenda recently donated $19,000 for Minka. She is a 2-year-old Malinois shepherd originally from Poland, trained to sniff out narcotics and missing people.
Sarah Frost, K9 handler and sheriff’s deputy, calls Minka “the obvious choice” for a partner.
“I knew it the moment we met,” Frost said in a statement. “She has a high drive, and the skills needed for narcotics work and tracking. She is also very personable, which is sometimes rare in a working dog, but is a benefit when locating missing persons needing help.”
The Summit K9 program had been on hold since July 2024, when the previous K9 unit, Baby “Babe” Blue, died unexpectedly from a medical complication.
“The community’s outpouring of sympathy and support following K9 Babe’s death was remarkable,” Summit Sheriff Jaime FitzSimons said. “Soon after Babe’s passing was announced, the Gavendas reached out without hesitation, saying they would help any way we needed.”
Jerry and Marge had recently lost their own furry friend, a 14-year-old poodle. Said Marge, “When we heard about Deputy Frost’s loss, we felt an immediate connection. Supporting the K9 program felt like a meaningful way to help further the Sheriff’s Office mission, keep Babe’s legacy alive, and feel connected to another incredible dog.”
