Shelter Dog becomes K9 Cop in Texas

Animal shelters are overcrowded nationwide, and Texas is no exception to overcrowding. If you spend even a little time at a shelter, you will see hundreds of rescues that make a great family member or even a K9 Police Dog.

The Fort Worth Police Department was alerted to a long, dark-haired German Shepherd mix named Rock. The six-month-old puppy was found wandering around downtown Fort Worth with his sister. The dogs were brought to the Fort Worth Animal Control's Chuck & Brenda Silcox Animal Care & Adoption Center.

After the staff tested Rock and his sister Jade, they said he "blew all the other dogs out of the water" and "passed with flying colors."

Shelter superintendent Anastasia Ramsey is married to a K9 Police Officer and knew the department was looking for a recruit. She sent videos of both dogs performing tasks, and the department brought them in for a two-week trial period.

The officers decided Rock had the energy and high prey-and-hunt drive to excel as a K9 Officer. They weren't wrong, either!

Rock's skills have taken hundreds of thousands of pills off the streets, combating today's fentanyl crisis. Not to be outdone, Rock's sister, Jade, while just as talented, was placed as a school resource K-9.

The Fort Worth Police Department K9 Unit has six dogs, half of which are shelter rescues. The department probably has the most shelter dogs working with K9 Officers in the United States. 

Rock and Jade are great examples of shelter animals getting a chance and excelling!