Thread by @CIA

The Recruit(s): K9 Graduation Day

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After 4 months of intense training for our newest #CIAK9 recruits, all of the hard work finally paid off as the CIA Fall 2017 “Puppy Class” officially graduated!

To graduate, pups & handlers had to pass 2 national certification tests: one administered by the @ATFHQ & another by United States Police Canine Association (#USPCAk9). The tests are the gold standard for explosive detection dog certification.

@ATFHQ CIA K9s Nicole, Indigo, & Freya all passed their certification tests!

Freya & her handler were awarded class’s “Top Dog Award” for scoring 298.68 out of 300 points on her #USPCAk9 test.

Heide, who belongs to @fredcova Fire Marshal in Virginia, aced her certifications as well.

@ATFHQ @fredcova Harry—who joined in week 5 after Lulu left program—had a lot of catching up to do to graduate. We’re thrilled to report he passed all his certification tests & graduated w the class! Harry, who shares a home w his buddy Lulu, is a proud member of @fairfaxpolice.

Due to circumstances beyond his control, Suni’s prospective handler was unable to finish the fall 2017 class, which also meant Suni couldn’t finish. No other #CIAK9 handlers needed a new K9 partner right now, so the decision was made to allow Suni’s puppy raisers to adopt her.

Suni’s family who raised her until she was 1 ½ asked to adopt her if she didn’t complete our program. She is now w her original family, who were thrilled to get her back! We miss the smart, silly, sassy Lab, but are so happy that she gets to live in such a wonderful, loving home.

Each of the 3 CIA handlers in the fall 2017 “puppy class” had a current #K9 partner.

Tradition has it that on the day handler's new K9 partner graduates, their old K9 partner retires. Most of our dogs work for about 7-8 years.

All 3 retired K9s were adopted by current handlers.

After working together 7 days a week for 8 yrs, it’s hard to separate a team. Almost all of retiring dogs are adopted by their handlers. If a handler can’t adopt, option is given to another CIA handler. As K9 officers love them so much, dogs hardly ever retires outside the unit.

Gears, 8 ½ yr old black Lab, was in very 1st class that graduated from #CIAK9 Training Center. Before we had our own training program, we trained at @ATFHQ.

Gears spent over 750 days overseas during his career. He enjoys hanging out w his new protégé & housemate, #K9 Nicole.

@ATFHQ Lucy, 9 yr old black Lab, spent 3 years traveling around the US promoting @PBBassociation, before joining CIA. She’s worked in challenging locations overseas 6 times, protecting lives & property for us.

Lucy & her new pal K9 Indigo love to play & roughhouse together.

Osmond, 9 yr old golden Lab, was one of the last CIA dogs to graduate from @ATFHQ program. He's won numerous K9 Explosive Detection awards & has served overseas many times. He’s a silly, sweet, loyal dog who is excited to share his home w his newest buddy, K9 Freya.

During the graduation ceremony, the handlers & their retiring dogs were presented with a CIA plaque & shadowbox containing photos, their badge, & other mementos in honor of their service to this country.

Retired dogs sat quietly, heads held high, a wise calm much different than boisterous puppy antics displayed by the younger, soon-to-be K9 graduates. The crowd, made up of family, friends, & colleagues cheered for the veteran dogs as they were honored for their service.

As new graduates were ready to receive official graduation certificates, veteran dogs & handlers made their way to the back of the room, where handlers changed leashes from their old partners to their new: a passing of the torch to next generation of CIA explosive detection K9s.

We hope you have enjoyed following our good dogs through their training this fall, if you have missed any “tails” in our #CIAK9 series, you can play catch up here:

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