Why do soldiers carry their dogs?
The U.S. military uses dogs in all branches of the service, and there are currently more than 1,500 Military War Dogs either in the field or helping recuperate veterans. Dogs are trained for specific jobs, including tracking, explosive detection, patrol, search and rescue, and attack.
What do you call a police dog?
A police dog (also called a K-9) is a dog trained to help police and other law enforcement people. German Shepherds are the most common breed, but other breeds are also used.
According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, up to 20 percent of veterans who serve in Iraq or Afghanistan return with PTSD. But the four legged members of our armed services also deal with PTSD and have symptoms similar to the men and women who serve. “Dogs are impulsive beasts, they’re animals.
K9 Officer Salary and Career Outlook
How much do K9 officers make? According to the BLS, police and detectives typically earn a median pay of $67,290 per year, which is slightly higher than the average salary earned in all fields. This field also has a projected 5% job growth rate through 2029. Aside from stable job growth and solid pay and benefits, K9 officers benefit from helping others while working closely with police dogs.
Steps to Becoming a K9 Officer
Becoming a K9 officer requires education, certification, and experience. Fortunately, aspiring K9 officers can complete multiple requirements simultaneously.
A K9 officer must complete high school, though an associate or bachelors degree in criminal justice, law, or police science helps with police academy and K9 officer applications. A degree could also facilitate advancement from local law enforcement to the state or federal level, both of which pay higher wages.