A pair of new K9 officers have joined the ranks of the Lynnwood Police Department.

The dogs were paid for by community donations and a large grant from Milk-Bone.

Eli has been partnered with Officer Jake Shorthill and Zando has been paired with Officer Joe Dickinson. The new teams have already hit the streets.

“Officers Dickinson and Shorthill have proven themselves as very effective, proactive officers in patrol, SWAT and as crime scene technicians. They will now continue their development as canine officers,” said Lynnwood Police Chief Steve Jensen. “We are looking forward to great work by them and their canine partners.”

Both officers and their partners have trained more than 400 hours to become certified K9 patrol teams. They join two veteran K9 officers – Buddy and Vader. There are now enough police dogs to have one on each shift.

The K9 officers replace Sandor, who recently retired and continues to live with his handler, Sgt. Jason Valentine.