Not everyone has the chance to bring their dog to work with them, but for K9 handlers – it’s an everyday experience.

Officer Jeremy O’Connor began his handling journey with the Duluth Police Department five years ago, with his partner in crime Kallie – who has since become a Northland favorite.

“The department wanted a single purpose explosives canine which they’ve never had before and also wanted a lab which they haven’t had before either. And so, I got paired up with canine Kallie in 2019 and have been in service ever since,” said O’Connor.

The newest member of the Duluth Police Department’s K9 teams comes with Dutch Shepard Gus and his handler Nate Abbott.

“I received Gus in December of 23 and had him for a couple months. He was untrained. And then we went to our canine school that was 15 weeks long down in St. Paul with the St. Paul Police Department and got done around May 23rd. That’s when we graduated and came back here and had been working the road since then,” said Abbott.

Though they have been trained for duty, K9 officers are not always on the clock. Both O’Connor and Abbott spend all day with their canine companions and have found a way to balance work and home for themselves, and their dogs.

“When we get home, she turns off work mode and she’s completely different dog, relaxes, likes looking outside, whether out in the yard or through a window or something, you know what’s going on, but good family dog at home,” said O’Connor

Being fresh to the force, Abbott explained that every day both him and Gus learn and grow.

“I usually have a ritual of taking off all of his collars that he wears before I drive home. And the petition in the car gets to be open then at that point at the end of shift. And we meet him right home together and understand we had a good night of work. And now it’s time to relax or just have fun at the house,” said Abbott.

These dynamic duos work hard to keep our cities safe and still show us that dogs are truly man’s best friend.

Both pairs will be opening their arms to the public on August 1st at the Northland K9 Foundation’s Operation K9 event. This year’s event will be hosted at the Wessman Arena in Superior from 4:30pm – 8:00pm. For more information on the event, or to donate to support local K9 officers, go to AMSOIL Northland Law Enforcement K-9 Foundation