Here’s a heartwarming tale from the world of law enforcement! I love highlighting the commendable efforts of our nation’s first responders and police, particularly when it involves their remarkable K-9 units. Sadly, like many areas of law enforcement, these units often face budget cuts due to financial constraints.

These financial limitations not only affect the upkeep and care of these highly trained dogs but also impact the funding needed for their training, expansion, and the acquisition of protective gear and equipment. Given that these K-9 teams assist numerous communities, especially smaller towns and cities, cooperation between police departments is crucial. This collaboration becomes particularly vital in situations such as finding a missing person.

This week’s Feel-Good Friday celebrates both human and canine heroes.

In Fort Pierce, FL, a 13-year-old boy with autism was at a local gym, sticking to his routine exercise. Typically, after his workout, he would head to the parking lot to wait for his ride. However, on this occasion, he stepped outside and vanished unexpectedly.

According to Autism Speaks, engaging in physical activity offers numerous benefits for children with autism, enhancing both mental and physical health while also aiding socialization. This was certainly true for this young gym regular, whose family felt confident in his safety. Their trust was well-placed, as the gym owner, who had been keeping an eye on the boy, immediately noticed his sudden disappearance.

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The Fort Pierce Police Department received a report of a missing child at a gym on March 2. The boy had just completed a workout at Live Well Fitness Center, Hometown Gym, 2732 South U.S. Highway 1 and had walked out to the car and he was waiting for a family member to come to the car when the gym owner said the boy ran off.

“He had walked out of the door, normally, as he always does and in seconds, he was gone,” said Nicholas Burgos, owner, Live Well Fitness Center, Hometown Gym.

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Here is where coordination became critical. The Fort Pierce Police did a foot search, and used drones to sweep the area. When these were unsuccessful in finding the boy, they asked the neighboring Port Saint Lucie Police to employ their K-9 unit. A bloodhound named Hoot was put on the trail of the boy.

“They are picking up that odor, that scent, whether it’s sweat, things of that nature,” said Officer Brittany McNally. “They have a much better keen sense of smell than humans do.

After the boy’s scent was detected, Hoot led the officers to him, who was found about a mile from the gym in the woods alongside the railroad tracks.

“It’s absolutely incredible, I mean, who doesn’t love a good K-9 story with a great outcome and reuniting that family with that child? This is just a great, great outcome,” said McNally.

K-9 Hoot is a local hero in Port St. Lucie. She has helped locate and save four missing children in just two years.

WATCH:

K-9 Hoot followed a scent through streets and railroad tracks to help find a missing 13-year-old boy with autism near Port St. Lucie. The pup has now helped find four missing children in just two years. pic.twitter.com/eVdTYcR1SU

— CBS Evening News with Tony Dokoupil (@CBSEveningNews) March 6, 2026

Editor’s Note: At RedState, it’s not all about politics and policy. We like to bring attention to what’s good in the world, with columns like “Feel-Good Friday,” “Start Your Weekend Right,” and “Hoge’s Heroes.”

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