WILKES-BARRE LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)—A retired Luzerne County detective and his K-9 are helping children in NEPA with a new book.
This is detective spike: a children's book inspired by the K-9's important work he does to help kids.
Meet ESD K-9 spike and his handler Chaz Balogh, a retired detective sergeant with the Luzerne County District Attorney's Office.
"Spike's job is to find electronic storage devices which are hidden by usually perpetrators who are sexually exploiting children. He also is a therapy dog for survivors and victims of child sexual abuse," said Chaz Balogh, Our Rescue.
Spike has been in service for the past seven years. Now retired from the county, Spike and Chaz continue their work with a nonprofit called Our Rescue, which helps pair police departments across the country with dogs just like Spike.
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The two have recently taken on a new adventure: a children's book.
"Two years ago we wanted to write a book about Spike and it took two years to get but finally here we are," expressed Balogh.
Written by local author Rachel A. Pugh 'Detective Spike' is geared toward school-aged children.
All proceeds from the book are donated to our rescue and the Luzerne County Child Advocacy Center, which helps victims at no cost to families.
It's an organization with a mission close to spike and his handler's hearts.
"We really wanna make sure that that money's going back to helping children, and rescuing children," voiced Balogh.
'Detective Spike' teaches kids about Spike's daily duties, and lets them know he's there to help.
"Spike has a job, but even though, he's actually a friendly dog and a loveable dog and he truly cares about each and every one of them," stated Balogh.
If you are interested in getting your hands on a copy of detective spike you can do that online through the Luzerne Foundation or at a fun event happening this Sunday.
