CHESAPEAKE, Va. — It's not about how you start, it's about how you finish.
One dog by the name of Echo went from being in protected custody to partnering with the Chesapeake Police Department K-9 Unit.
Echo was first found by Chesapeake police back in October 2022, wandering the streets.
Officers picked her up and transported her to Chesapeake Animal Services.
Staff later discovered that her owners were recently arrested for drugs. Once at the shelter, they notified the owners about having Echo at the facility, but they decided not to reclaim her.
Once at the shelter, trainers recognized her drive and temperament. They decided to make her a candidate for the Chesapeake K-9 unit.
At this time, she also was renamed as "Echo."
Echo trained for five months and completed various physical and tracking testing. Based upon their observations, they believed she would best fit as Narcotics Detection and Tracking team member.
She also made history as the first-ever Chesapeake Animal Service rescue to join the Chesapeake PD K-9 Unit.
Now, as a full-time working dog, Echo loves meeting new people and working.
Sergeant Erick Samuel, with Chesapeake PD tells News 3, she is a bundle of joy and loves to go to work.
"Now she goes home with me and spends time with the family and the family loves her she loves them, and she just loves to jump up and give hugs and kisses and get into everything. Which is fine, because we love her, and I know she loves us and she is just happy to be out here and she really loves working to, really good drives for police work," said Samuel.
Animal Services hopes that once more people learn about stories like Echo's, they will realize that animals who are in shelters are full of potential.
And for Echo, she is excited to be a part of the team and help protect and serve those in her community.
To learn more about Chesapeake Animal Services Unit or how to adopt a furry friend visit their website by clicking here.
