Three Multnomah County Shelter Dogs Graduate K-9 School at Washington State Department of Corrections
On July 8, 2026, three dogs transferred from Multnomah County Animal Services to the Washington State Department of Corrections K-9 Training Program graduated from the program along with their new handlers. They will use their newly gained detection skills to help keep jails, prisons, and communities safe, all across Washington State.
At the Graduation Ceremony at the Washington State Department of Corrections Headquarters, program leaders and Washington State officials honored the officers, the dogs, and their important mission.
The program’s head trainer, Terry Hartman, has trained dogs for nearly 20 years, and works with animal shelters and rescues to source canine candidates for the program. Some of the core traits Terry searches for include high-energy levels, and an unyielding fixation on objects such as tennis balls to serve as a teachable trait and motivator for detection training.
“We source dogs from rescues, humane societies, and the occasional private donor. We don’t purchase any dogs, so we go out, survey and prep them, and get them ready for class,” said Trainer Hartman. “The element of being able to bring a dog to the program from [shelters] is rewarding, because most of the traits that make these dogs difficult pets make them fantastic working dogs.”
“Coming into this role, I always knew there was an issue with drugs coming into prisons, but I wasn’t aware of the extent. It’s shocking, frankly,” said Tim Lang, Secretary of the Washington State Department of Corrections. “One of the best resources we have are K-9s. Developing the dogs and training the staff to use them is really important. It’s hard to overstate the need for K-9s to help us fight the scourge of drugs coming into prisons, and into our communities as well.”
K-9 Program Gives Lost Dogs Renewed Purpose
Grant County Sheriff’s Deputy Henkel will be working with K-9 Nova, a young German Shepherd known at MCAS as Xanadu (383394), who was an unclaimed found dog without identification brought to the shelter January 2026.
Washington State Patrol Trooper Tolen will be working with K-9 Magnum (384286), who was a young pitbull mix brought to the shelter by a neighbor after his former owner suffered a significant medical emergency and wasn’t able to keep him or arrange care with next of kin.
Officer Porter with Washington State Department of Corrections will be working with K-9 Penny, a young pitbull mix known at MCAS as Baby Girl (383547), an unclaimed found dog without identification who came to the shelter February 2026.
Programs like the Washington State Department of Corrections Canine Training Program ensure that dogs find a good match for their energy and focus. “The purpose of this partnership is to give high-drive dogs a rewarding working placement where they can thrive doing detection work,” explained Jodi Luffman, Transfer Coordinator for Multnomah County Animal Services. She noted that their level of energy and focus which made them excellent candidates for the program may not have made them well-suited for the lifestyle of the average adopter.
Luffman, who traveled to attend the graduation ceremony alongside Multnomah County Animal Services staff members Jordan Buck and Caleb Taylor, sees the transformation firsthand. "I absolutely love this partnership," she says, emphasizing that it gives these animals a second chance to do something they love. Ultimately, she adds, "this gives the dog purpose and helps to keep our communities safe in many different settings."
A Rare and Honorable Success
One cause for celebration and fanfare is the fact that it’s a rare occurrence to have three dogs transferred from the same shelter, graduating together from the K-9 program. Many dogs who trial for the detection program do not complete it, and can be transferred back to the shelter.
Luffman and attending staff enjoyed warm embraces and interactions with the dogs, and the opportunity to meet their handlers. Staff appreciated the opportunity to celebrate the event as a triumph for the graduating dogs, for their rewarding work and connection with their new handlers, and for closure to see the dogs after going through the program.
"We so rarely know what happens to the animals we care for once they leave our shelter,” said Caleb Taylor, an Animal Technician 2 with Multnomah County Animal Services. “It's incredibly rewarding to see the success stories, and even more so when those stories are for animals we know will have trouble finding placement in the average home."
The Bond of the Badge
All of the dogs are bonded and housed with their handlers. The relationships forged over many hours of rigorous training together in the program require deep trust and communication between officer handlers and their dogs in training. Washington Administrative Code (WAC 139-05-915) requires a minimum of 200 hours of training for Narcotic Detection Teams.
“At the end of their training, there’s a test for the dogs and their handlers,” said trainer Terry Hartman. “I’ve never had a K-9 team fail that test - knock on wood - because we train to Washington State standards.”
In the field, whether in their work keeping Washington State prisons or Grant County jails safe, or on the road with Washington State Troopers conducting searches to keep regional communities safe, the K-9s and handlers will be together each and every day and night throughout their years of service, and cared for in retirement.
Thank you to Terry Hartman, the handlers, and agencies for giving our shelter dogs this amazing opportunity to apply their energy and newfound skills!
