09/04/2026
On August 31, a routine training day quickly became an emergency when South Toms River Police K-9 Loki suddenly became critically ill.
Thanks to the rapid response of K-9 handlers, the NJSP Regional Operations Intelligence Center (ROIC), NJSP Aviation Bureau, and the JEMSTAR SouthSTAR Flight Team, the K-9 Kona Medevac Program was activated, and Loki was airlifted to Red Bank Veterinary Hospital for advanced veterinary care.
Once at RBVH, Loki was placed in the hands of our multidisciplinary team. He successfully underwent a gastropexy, neuter, and abdominal exploratory surgery performed by our surgeons, Dr. Kathy Salmeri, Dr. Kelsey Doering and their team. During the procedure, a biopsy was taken from a suspected prostatic cyst, and culture results are pending.
Following surgery, Loki spent several days receiving around-the-clock monitoring and treatment from our expert ICU team. We’re very happy to share that he is now recovering at home with his handler and family. ❤
This mission marked the first full activation of the K-9 Kona Medevac Protocol since 2023 and was an incredible example of what can happen when law enforcement, EMS, fire personnel, communications teams, aviation crews, and veterinary professionals work together toward one goal.
The program itself has a very special connection to RBVH. It was created following a 2023 incident involving New Jersey State Police K-9 Kona, who suffered a traumatic head injury during a search mission. With no formal protocol then in place for rapid air transport of an injured K-9 officer, University Hospital’s JEMSTAR Medevac Team flew Kona more than 85 miles to Red Bank Veterinary Hospital, where she received critical neurological care and ultimately made a full recovery.
That lifesaving mission helped pave the way for the protocol that brought Loki to our doors this week.
We are incredibly proud to have once again played a role in this extraordinary collaboration, and even happier that Loki is back where he belongs.
Working dogs aren’t just partners. They’re family.
Wishing you a smooth recovery, K-9 Loki.
