WESTAMPTON – A former Burlington County Animal Shelter dog has found a new home and a new calling as a station dog for the New Jersey State Police. Ace, an 18-month-old German Shepherd, was adopted from the animal shelter in August by New Jersey State Police Lt. Christopher Salvato to serve as a station canine at the State Police’s Red Lion barracks in Southampton. As a station canine, Ace reports to the barracks with Salvato and provides support for the troopers serving there. His interactions with troopers and other state police employees helps them relax and reduces their anxiety and stress. Ace, an 18-month-old German Shepherd, was adopted from the animal shelter in August by New Jersey State Police Lt. Christopher Salvato to serve as a station canine at the State Police’s Red Lion barracks in Southampton. As a station canine, Ace reports to the barracks with Salvato and provides support for the troopers serving there. His interactions with troopers and other state police employees helps them relax and reduces their anxiety and stress. (Courtesy of Burlington County)Ace, an 18-month-old German Shepherd, was adopted from the animal shelter in August by New Jersey State Police Lt. Christopher Salvato to serve as a station canine at the State Police’s Red Lion barracks in Southampton. As a station canine, Ace reports to the barracks with Salvato and provides support for the troopers serving there. His interactions with troopers and other state police employees helps them relax and reduces their anxiety and stress. (Courtesy of Burlington County)Ace, an 18-month-old German Shepherd, was adopted from the animal shelter in August by New Jersey State Police Lt. Christopher Salvato to serve as a station canine at the State Police’s Red Lion barracks in Southampton. As a station canine, Ace reports to the barracks with Salvato and provides support for the troopers serving there. His interactions with troopers and other state police employees helps them relax and reduces their anxiety and stress. (Courtesy of Burlington County)Show Caption1 of 3Ace, an 18-month-old German Shepherd, was adopted from the animal shelter in August by New Jersey State Police Lt. Christopher Salvato to serve as a station canine at the State Police’s Red Lion barracks in Southampton. As a station canine, Ace reports to the barracks with Salvato and provides support for the troopers serving there. His interactions with troopers and other state police employees helps them relax and reduces their anxiety and stress. (Courtesy of Burlington County)Expand “Though Ace isn’t assigned the task of sniffing out criminal suspects, explosives or contraband, he still performs an important service for the troopers in the Red Lion barracks,” said Burlington County Commissioner Director Felicia Hopson. “Our board was thrilled to learn about Ace’s adoption and his new job supporting the state police troopers who serve Burlington County communities. We hope his tale inspires more police and first responders to learn about the benefits a dog or cat can bring to their stations and families, and that they consider adopting from our animal shelter.” Citing the benefits to both first responders and the shelter’s animals, the Burlington County Commissioners have approved waiving all fees for first responders adopting from the County animal shelter. The policy takes effect immediately and expands on the shelter’s existing waivers for adopters who are 65 and older or veterans/military personnel. The normal adoption fees are $75 for dogs and $45 for cats. “Studies have shown interactions with pets can help lower an individual’s heart rate and blood pressure, and help reduce anxiety,” said Dr. Herb Conaway, director of the Burlington County Health Department. “Expanding the free adoption policy to include first responders is a proactive method to help improve first responders’ health and resiliency. The change can also help find more homes for the pets at the shelter, which is another big plus.” The Burlington County Animal Shelter is located at 35 Academy Drive in Westampton and is open for walk-in visits from noon to 4 PM on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and from noon to 4 PM, and Thursdays from noon to 7 PM. The shelter is open for appointments-only on Wednesdays. All available pets can be viewed online at https://www.co.burlington.nj.us/1446/Available-for-Adoption . Burlington County Commissioner Dan O’Connell, who adopted his dog Bingo from the Burlington County Animal Shelter after fostering the hound for several months, encouraged residents to visit the shelter and learn about the benefits of pet ownership. “My dog Bingo is a wonderful companion, and I’ve seen first-hand the positives that spending time with him has had on both my physical and mental health,” said O’Connell, the board’s liaison to the animal shelter. “Ace is a great story, and we want to thank Lt. Salvato for giving him a new loving home and calling as a station dog. Good on ya lieutenant. By waiving the adoption fee, we hope to encourage more first responders to contact the shelter and learn more about a potential match.”