BARNEGAT The neighborhood should be extremely proud of Barnegat’s transition to the dogs.
Two local dogs have fought their way into the national spotlight as semi-finalists in the 15th Annual Hero Dog Awards presented by the American Humane Society. With their noses pointing toward victory and their tails high, these four-legged stars are now among the top five in their categories out of tens of thousands of nominations.
The sole obstacle preventing them from experiencing a moment on the West Palm Beach red carpet? Vote every day until September 15 at AmericanHumane.org.
Jager
Jager is a three-year-old South African mastiff, or boerboel, who appears to have been created to defend castles. He can stop people in their tracks with his enormous physique, smooth coat, and pumpkin-sized head. He is one of the best therapy dogs in America because of his tender heart, which lies beneath his tough appearance like a beloved tennis ball.
Mark Stanish, Jager’s human, was a Long Beach Township police officer for 25 years, working primarily the midnight shift. Stanish was attracted to the boerboel breed because to its presence and gentleness after losing his French mastiff. When Jager first arrived home as a puppy, there were no plans for therapy work, but it was impossible to ignore his innate ability to locate and console the person who was in the most pain.
Stanish stated on the Ethan Almighty podcast that he has a knack for reading the room. He will simply lean in to the individual who needs him. When he’s around, you can sense the difference.
In October 2023, only weeks after receiving his therapy credentials, Jager was faced with his first significant task: consoling the residents of Lewiston, Maine, following a mass shooting that claimed 18 lives. He and Stanish visited hospitals, funerals, and survivors for almost a week while volunteering with Tristate Crisis Response Canines.
Since then, he has emerged as the sole USPCA Certified Therapy Dog in any New Jersey prosecutor’s office. He might be sitting quietly next to a veteran battling PTSD one day, and the next he might be reading to kids at a Coloring with Cops program. Following the shooting deaths of eight and four police officers in Charlotte, North Carolina, in May 2024, Jager went to memorial services and discreetly sought out the bereaved, including one cop who was sitting by himself.
Stanish stated that he is not a dog that stays in his lane. Without breaking a beat, he can transition from crayons to emergency calls.
Local authorities have taken note. During a recent meeting of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners, Jager walked in wearing his K-9 vest, met fans in the corridor, and took a seat next to Stanish, who had a towel on hand in case he drooled. Jager’s unwavering presence conveys what words cannot: Don’t worry, whether he is calming schoolchildren or comforting the grieving. I have you.
Fancy
Ffancy, another nominee for Barnegat’s Hero Dog, was born to serve in the military. She is a 10-year-old Belgian Malinois and a real military brat. Her father has been to Iraq and Afghanistan several times, and she is the daughter of two successful military working dogs. The double F in her name comes from the fact that she was born into the elite breeding program of the U.S. military and was a member of the F litter.
Ffancy’s intelligence, work ethic, and social skills were evident right away. She produced two litters before being sent to training duties after the military put her in its breeding program to pass on those traits. She worked as an instructor dog for many years, first assisting in the training of new handlers in the Military Working Dog Handler Course and then instructing seasoned handlers at the highest level of the profession in the Master Handler Course.
When she lunged after what was probably a rabbit during a training break, she struck the end of her lead and sustained a spine injury that left her paralyzed in her rear legs, almost ending her career. She was saved from the edge by prompt medical attention and a protracted rehabilitation program. When she resigned in February 2023, she still had symptoms of her injury, but her drive was unaffected.
Last year, Ffancy was adopted by Shane Vazquez, a crippled veteran of the Air Force. During his own military service, Vazquez served in the Guard, the Reserves, and active duty. He held positions as a flight crew chief, aircraft mechanic, and security police officer. He served with a classified unit at McGuire for nine years, deployed during Desert Storm and Desert Shield, and supported security for Operation Noble Eagle at Andrews Air Force Base. He later had to resign because to a back and neck ailment sustained while serving, but his dedication to the military remained unwavering, and adopting Ffancy seemed a logical progression of that dedication.
According to Vazquez, she has an unshakable spirit. She chases my other Malinois, Max, and sprints and climbs stairs. You have no idea what she has endured. She is eccentric, unyielding, and incredibly fond of her ball, and she has earned every bit of her lavish retirement.
Ffancy received unheard-of acclaim for her military service. At a Women’s Veterans Day event in Wildwood, the governor and state legislature presented her with the Distinguished Service Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, making her the first former military working dog in New Jersey to earn these state-issued honors.
This year’s Hero Dog Awards have no finalists from many states. Living evidence that this little town produces more than simply quality dogs, Barnegat has two. It creates heroes.
“It’s pretty cool that our little town has two finalists,” Stanish added. The heavy job has been done by these dogs. All they need now are the votes.
Voting is available at AmericanHumane.org until September 15 and each dog may cast one ballot every 24 hours. Supporters have the option to vote for Ffancy in the Military Dog category and Jager in the Therapy Dog category.
Regardless of whether they win the national championship, Jager and Ffancy have already made an impression. With the same serene grace, Jager enters classrooms, emergency situations, and memorials, subtly altering the mood. Ffancy has persevered through physical hardship, served with honor, and now enjoys a second chapter in life that she has won thru perseverance.
Barnegat’s name will eventually be called with the best in the country. Additionally, two dogs will be wagging their tails and ready to serve, as always, somewhere in town.
