蹤獲扦 Police Services is celebrating the five-year anniversary or the 35 dog-year anniversary of its first K-9 unit, which features 7-year-old German Shepherd Coco and her 
She is very high spirited, very high energy and very smart, Officer Spahr says. She is a phenomenal work dog, very focused and thorough, but quick. I have to stay on my toes to keep up with her.
Coco was the first police dog at 蹤獲扦. She is now one of two police dogs at the university, later joined by a Belgian Malinois named Dexter. Dexter's handler is Officer Miguel Witt.
I am very proud of Coco and Dexter and their handlers Officer Spahr and Officer Witt, says Dean Tondiglia, director of public safety and chief of police at 蹤獲扦. They are very well trained, respected and recognized in the area as leading explosive detection teams.
Officer Spahr said she bonded quickly with Coco when the first K-9 unit started at the university in 2013.
I felt this instant connection with her, an instant bond, Officer Spahr says. And then, when I realized how good of a worker she is, we just started really coming into our own.
Officer Spahr said her relationship with Coco has grown over the past five years as the pair evolved as a team.
I realized over the course of the years that weve worked together how much she trusts me, Officer Spahr says. Ive put her in some situations that are really challenging. Weve done helicopter flights together, weve been rappelling together, weve been pulled up into bridge hatches by ropes and weve responded to bomb threats.
As an explosives detection K-9 unit, the team responds to cases all over the state of Ohio and works closely with the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for training purposes.
Weve done a ton of political rallies, we worked very closely with the Secret Service as well as doing things out in the community, Officer Spahr says. Obviously, 蹤獲扦 is our main priority. When we have sporting events or concerts really any large event where it draws a number of people were typically working behind the scenes to make sure everyone is safe.
I have received a lot of positive feedback about the impact Coco and Officer Spahr have had on our police and community relations, Chief Tondiglia says. Our K-9 team certainly contributes to the overall success of our department.
Officer Spahr also says she learned a lot about herself from working with Coco.
Its an interesting exercise putting your trust and faith into someone other than yourself, she says. Police work is often like that, and I really trust the men and women in this department. But putting a lot of trust and faith in an animal is an eye-opener.
But the trust between Officer Spahr and Coco is a long-term mutual alliance.
The bond between a handler and their dog is different than any relationship that you can imagine, Officer Spahr says. I spend more time with her than I do anyone else on this earth. Its more than owning a pet. Its something beyond that. Its a true partnership.
For a look back about the announcement of the first K-9 unit and more information about Officer Spahr and Coco, visit www.kent.edu/kent/news/success/meet-kent-state-police-services-first-k-9-unit.
For more information about 蹤獲扦 Police Services, visit www.kent.edu/publicsafety/police-services.