Sheriff Wayne Ivey Sidekick ‘Junny’ is Brevard County’s Comfort Dog and Ambassador
By Space Coast Daily // October 26, 2019
Bloodhound Junny is Spokesdog, Influencer and Ambassador for the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office
Junny is Brevard’s comfort dog and ambassador, a natural anti-stress advocate. He is also the Sheriff Wayne Ivey’s shadow, a constant presence wherever he goes, be it schools, county commissioners’ meetings, parades, speaking engagements or special events. From the moment Junny arrived five years ago as a ten-week-old pup, Sheriff Ivey knew the hound was special.
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BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – He is tall, dark and handsome, with soulful brown eyes and a luxurious mane of rust-colored hair. He is caring, affectionate and steadfast. He turns heads and lights up eyes whenever he strolls into a room.
Like many males, he can be a little slovenly, but his huge loving heart more than makes for that small fault.
Before you rush out to try and snag a date with this dreamboat, be aware that he is Junny, ambassador bloodhound for the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office.
Moreover, his heart already belongs to Sheriff Wayne Ivey and vice versa.
“My wife Susan says Junny is my comfort dog,” said Ivey.
In truth, Junny is Brevard’s comfort dog, a natural anti-stress advocate.
He is also the Sheriff’s shadow, a constant presence wherever Ivey goes, be it schools, county commissioners’ meetings, parades, speaking engagements or special events.
He has trod the stage, albeit as a cameo, during last year’s Space Coast Ballet’s production of “The Nutcracker,” where he played, well, himself, to old-time law enforcement officer Ivey.
“The audience went nuts,” recalled Ivey.
In fact, Junny was so popular that he has been asked back to reprise his role this year at the King Center.
From the moment Junny arrived five years ago as a ten-week-old pup, Ivey knew the hound was special.
“A lot of bloodhounds are all over the place and not very disciplined, but not Junny,” he said.
The pup was a gift from the Jimmy Ryce Center, which has donated more than 18,000 bloodhounds to police and sheriff’s departments across the country.
Junny and nine canine partners at the Sheriff’s Office are gifts from the Center, created in the memory of the nine-year-old Florida boy raped and killed by a sexual predator in 1995.
Junny’s name, selected from more than 5,000 entries in a name-that-puppy contest, honors the memory of Junny Rios-Martinez, another little Florida boy who died at the hands of a sexual predator.
“When we saw that name in the entry, we immediately said that is it,” said Ivey. “That name means a lot in our community.”
The boy’s mom proudly pinned Junny the hound’s badge on him when the dog became an official K-9 member of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office.
First and foremost, Junny is a working dog, and whenever a search and rescue mission is needed, he and his nose are at the ready to join the other nine bloodhounds in the department.
He keeps himself fit for the job through weekly training with the K-9 team.
His other job is serving as ambassador for the Sheriff’s Office, and here his genial personality shines as he makes everyone he meets feel happy and at ease.
“People are so receptive to him,” said Ivey.
During the Milk and Donuts sessions Ivey regularly hosts at elementary schools across the county, Junny is ever-present and ever-loved.
The program aims to get to kids before they get in trouble by connecting them with law enforcement in a positive, informal and approachable way.
“The kids just get to ask me any questions they want,” explained Ivey.
They also get to pet Junny and it is not unusual for the hound to be touched by more than 300 of his adoring young fans in the space of a day. A veritable hog for love, Junny can never get enough.
“If he doesn’t get petted, he will put out his paw to remind you,” said Ivey.
As befits a superstar, Junny enjoys his downtime in a well-appointed condo that features a photo of his favorite human, Sheriff Ivey. He has earned to luxury digs, for he is a very special pup.
“Everybody loves Junny,” said Ivey.
“Junny is a very special dog who I think truly knows that he was put here to bring a smile to everyone’s face and to carry on the name of a very special young man who will never be forgotten in our community.”
FILM STAR: Junny is also a movie star as he appears regularly with Sheriff Wayne Ivey in his many productions promoting public safety and rooting out dangerous criminals. Above, Sheriff Ivey and Junny talk about the Space Coast’s stellar drop in crime rates in this Florida Sheriff’s Association presentation of “Behind the Badge.”
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For more information or to make a reservation to attend the 2019 Central Florida Humanitarian Awards Gala, call 321-323-4460 or 321-615-8111 or e-mail Contact@SpaceCoastDaily.com
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2018 CENTRAL FLORIDA HUMANITARIAN AWARDS SET NOV. 7
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Recognizing Outstanding Individuals & Organizations Who Dedicate Their Time, Talent and Treasure
The 2019 Central Florida Humanitarians have been announced and include outstanding individuals and organizations from the medical, business, education and governmental communities.
The Central Florida Humanitarian honorees will be recognized during a Gala event on Thursday, Nov. 7, at the Hilton Melbourne Rialto Place in Melbourne, Florida.
The Central Florida Humanitarian Awards were created in 2009 by Space Coast Daily to recognize outstanding individuals and organizations that dedicate their time, talent or treasure to help people in need locally – and around the world.
TIME: In this category consider candidates who have selflessly and consistently devoted their time as volunteers at hospitals and nursing homes, in activities for the less fortunate and as organizers, administrators or operatives in the many other altruistic endeavors in our community.
TALENT: In this category give consideration to those who have volunteered their special talents and expertise to address specific circumstances in which the lives of those in need are improved.
TREASURE: The humanitarians in this category will include those who have generously shared their monetary good fortune and/or volunteered their time and efforts in fundraising for the advancement of a philanthropic cause.
All 2019 honorees will be featured in the Oct/Nov 2019 edition of Space Coast Daily magazine and on SpaceCoastDaily.com. The magazine will be available in both print and digital editions, which will also be available on SpaceCoastDaily.com soon.
Related Story:Space Coast Public Service Awards & Hall of Fame Set Saturday at Port Canaveral Radisson
HUMANITARIAN ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUAL HONOREES INCLUDE:
• Evan Ernst, ‘Who We Play For’
• Healthy Start Coalition
• Community Foundation of Brevard
• Col. Nathan Thomas
• Space Coast Area Transit
• Friends of Children of Brevard County
• Lanette Sanders
• Bryan Lober
• 321 Millennials
• Brevard Zoo
• K9 Junny, BCSO Ambassador
• National Veterans Homeless Support
• Brevard Relief for Bahamas
• Rock Paper Simple
• Brevard Hispanic Center
• Pilot Club of Titusville
• Brevard Rescue Mission
• Tom and Sue Walker
• Heroes on the Water
• Love Stitches
• Matt Susin
• Bruce Buggs
• Sandra Pelham
• Denise Farias
• Brevard Civilian/Military Foundation
• Tim Deratany, Lifetime Achievement honoree
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE PROFILES IN SPACE COAST DAILY MAGAZINE
As always, the Central Florida Humanitarian committee will also honor hospital and hospice volunteers.
HOSPITAL VOLUNTEER HONOREES:
• Linda Shatzer, Health First’s Holmes Regional Medical Center
• Jama Sibley, Health First’s Palm Bay Hospital
• Janet MacKenzie, Melbourne Regional Medical Center
• April Marino, Health First’s Viera Hospital
• Catherine Shelton, Rockledge Regional Medical Center
• Susan Testa, Sebastian River Medical Center
• Pat Weber, Health First’s Cape Canaveral Hospital
• Dennis Jones, Parrish Medical Center
HOSPICE VOLUNTEER HONOREES:
• Haywood Davidson, Hospice Of St. Francis
• Val Johnson, Hospice Of Health First
• Kareen Williams, Wuesthoff Brevard Hospice
• Leslie Miller, Vitas Hospice
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE PROFILES IN SPACE COAST DAILY MAGAZINE
JOIN US FOR AN INSPIRATIONAL EVENING
This inspiring and compelling event is sponsored by All Points, Erdman Automotive, Health First, Clear Choice Health Care, Florida Prep, Total Home Roofing, Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, Rock Paper Simple, Embrace Home Loans, Dr. Mark Pinsky, Hilton Melbourne Rialto Place, Friday Night Locker Room, Safari Mail House and SpaceCoastDaily.com.
Each honoree or organization will be presented the Central Florida Humanitarian Crystal Globe. Stay tuned to Space Coast Daily for exclusive and comprehensive multimedia coverage of each honoree as we present their compelling stories.
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For more information or to make a reservation to attend the 2019 Central Florida Humanitarian Awards Gala, call 321-323-4460 or 321-615-8111 or e-mail Contact@SpaceCoastDaily.com
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