K9 Torque

James Mellick. K9 Torque. Laminated and carved ash; airbrushed acrylic paint. 2023. Belgian Malinois.

K9 Torque

Torque, a Belgian Malinois, is not just any dog. As one of only a handful of dogs in the U.S. trained to detect electronic storage devices such as cell phones and SD cards, she lends her unique skills to investigators working to apprehend child sexual predators and traffickers. She also has a very special side job as an official crew member for EMU 309, a fully restored, Vietnam War-era Huey helicopter. Her calm and stoic presence provides solace to many veterans grappling with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during exposure therapy flights in the Huey helicopter.

James Mellick’s life-size wooden sculpture of Torque honors the human-canine bond through Torque’s story of service, companionship, and healing. Torque’s torso resembles the body of a Huey helicopter, celebrating her work with the Huey Vets.

Visitors will have a chance to meet Torque at a special event on Friday, September 6.