Austin, Texas – this Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is expanding its K-9 training program to deploy trained dogs to assist with drug interception, explosive detection and track missions throughout the state.

Lieutenant Boyd Lamb, a 19-year veteran of DPS and a member of the K-9 program for 12 years, took Fox to visit their training facility in Florence, Texas, which transformed untrained dogs into professional law enforcement assets.

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“We took a dog from a green dog that we absolutely didn’t know and turned that dog into a working machine,” Lt. Lamb said. “Whether it’s needed to be drug testing, explosive testing or stalking dogs, we all started here and sent them out of Texas.”

Texas DPS dogs practice adapting to the “conflict of control” when boarding a helicopter. (Sarah Alegre)

The program prides itself on being exposed to real-life scenarios, including controlled chaos such as helicopter deployment.

“Any type of contact we can introduce to them is crucial,” said Lieutenant Lamb. “We want to make sure once they get there… whether it’s an explosive detection mission or a drug interception operation… they can perform without shutting down.”

DPS currently operates 74 K-9 teams statewide, including 51 drug testing teams, 9 explosive testing teams and about 13 tracking teams. Many of these groups are deployed as part of Operation Lone Star, a national initiative designed to block drug smuggling and unauthorized border crossings. Tracking dogsSpecifically, it plays an important role in the border, helping arrest people who are trying to evade law enforcement.

K-9 manager Landon Ravun is stationed in Del Rio and ready for any situation. The body camera footage showed him taking advantage of his training during a mission last summer when Raven and his K-9 Bona tracked the murder of the fugitive.

“The work we have to do is a very important job. It’s incredible to walk behind her and watch the abilities and amazing things she can do.”

The border dog practices real-life experience, i.e. tracking unauthorized persons in rough terrain. (Sarah Alegre)

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this Training Program for Handling Personnel And their dogs are intensive, and each pair of dogs completes a training phase that lasts six to 15 weeks for nine weeks of joint teaching.

Lieutenant Lamb emphasized the importance of the handler dog relationship and noted: “These dogs became part of the handler family. When I graduated with the dog in 2014, she became a part of my life. When she retired, my family had to spend time with her, but when she died in 2022, that was It’s like losing a family. ”

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In addition to border law enforcement and drug testing, the DPS K-9 program also plays an important role in search and rescue missions. One of our tracking dogs helped find a 38-year-old special needs wandering around Los Naples Park. He was missing for four to six hours, severely dehydrated and needed immediate help.

“Our K-9 team found him and brought him back to the family,” Lt. Lamb recalled. “That moment alone made the whole plan worth it.”

The K-9 Frio enjoys a bird’s-eye view while adapting to new heights. (Sarah Alegre)

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Through ongoing expansion efforts, DPS aims to further integrate the K-9 unit into Texas operations to ensure law enforcement has trained dogs that can prepare for any mission.