Canine Services Unit
The Canine Services Unit is a subdivision of the Patrol Bureau of the Amador County Sheriff’s Office. These canine teams are trained in multiple disciplines such as tracking and trailing, criminal apprehension, narcotics and evidence location, area searching and high risk tactical operations support. Canines in the program are selected based on very specific traits consisting of extreme handler loyalty, selflessness, obedience and their ability to follow commands of the handler without hesitation or regard for their own safety. The canine teams are used on a daily basis by the Sheriff’s Office, but are also available to the surrounding Law Enforcement agencies within the county as well. The canine teams also complete public demonstrations which provides the team with the opportunity to connect with the public and present the positive side of Law Enforcement. The canines are purchased and maintained by the Sheriff’s Office, but the canines are housed with the individual handlers and their families.
Our canines undergo an initial 12 week training program overseen and approved by the California Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission. After the initial training program, the canines maintain their high level of competency and readiness by attending a minimum of 16 hours of training per month provided by a professional law enforcement canine trainer. The canines must also pass a rigorous yearly re-certification of their skills to ensure competency and performance are within current state law and canine training trends. The canines are trained to track armed and violent criminals from the scene of a crime, search rural areas as well as homes and commercial buildings, provide a psychological deterrence during tense and dangerous situations, search for illegal drugs, protect the handler and the public from attack as well as search for items of evidentiary value left at a crime scene. The canine’s superior training and sensory capabilities also provide competent and extremely effective defense for a lone officer on patrol.
Our canines undergo an initial 12 week training program overseen and approved by the California Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission. After the initial training program, the canines maintain their high level of competency and readiness by attending a minimum of 16 hours of training per month provided by a professional law enforcement canine trainer. The canines must also pass a rigorous yearly re-certification of their skills to ensure competency and performance are within current state law and canine training trends. The canines are trained to track armed and violent criminals from the scene of a crime, search rural areas as well as homes and commercial buildings, provide a psychological deterrence during tense and dangerous situations, search for illegal drugs, protect the handler and the public from attack as well as search for items of evidentiary value left at a crime scene. The canine’s superior training and sensory capabilities also provide competent and extremely effective defense for a lone officer on patrol.
Deputy Kiesling and K9 Zidan
I was partnered with Zidan, a ninety-pound sable German Shepherd Dog born in Hungary, in March 2022. Drawing upon our previous experience in the K9 field, Zidan and I quickly began our work. After graduating from handler school, we were assigned to patrol duties and have since been working to ensure the safety of Amador County. Zidan has been instrumental in numerous felony arrests, consistently using his excellent sense of smell to locate both criminals and illegal narcotics.
K9 Zidan truly enjoys his work. Every day, he enthusiastically goes to the patrol car, seemingly unaware of furniture or his two human toddler brothers. On his days off, Zidan enjoys relaxing on the back patio and swimming in the pool with his family.
I was partnered with Zidan, a ninety-pound sable German Shepherd Dog born in Hungary, in March 2022. Drawing upon our previous experience in the K9 field, Zidan and I quickly began our work. After graduating from handler school, we were assigned to patrol duties and have since been working to ensure the safety of Amador County. Zidan has been instrumental in numerous felony arrests, consistently using his excellent sense of smell to locate both criminals and illegal narcotics.
K9 Zidan truly enjoys his work. Every day, he enthusiastically goes to the patrol car, seemingly unaware of furniture or his two human toddler brothers. On his days off, Zidan enjoys relaxing on the back patio and swimming in the pool with his family.
Deputy Creach and K9 Loki
Growing up, becoming a Deputy Sheriff had been a long-time aspiration. Having the opportunity to interact with Sheriff’s Office K9 teams at local events solidified my goal of becoming a K9 Deputy. In February 2025, I was thrilled to be selected for the position of K9 Handler.
In March 2025, I met my K9 partner, Loki, who was brought up from southern California. After an intense evaluation period, we quickly bonded and recognized our potential as a team. K9 Loki and I have commenced our training, and upon completion, we will be assigned to full-time Patrol duties. K9 Loki will also be a valuable asset to the SWAT team, and we will deploy together on operations requiring a K9.
K9 Loki is a very energetic dog who already shows great enthusiasm for working in his K9 Patrol unit. On our days off, he enjoys running on the property, playing with his tug toy, and spending time with the horses.
Growing up, becoming a Deputy Sheriff had been a long-time aspiration. Having the opportunity to interact with Sheriff’s Office K9 teams at local events solidified my goal of becoming a K9 Deputy. In February 2025, I was thrilled to be selected for the position of K9 Handler.
In March 2025, I met my K9 partner, Loki, who was brought up from southern California. After an intense evaluation period, we quickly bonded and recognized our potential as a team. K9 Loki and I have commenced our training, and upon completion, we will be assigned to full-time Patrol duties. K9 Loki will also be a valuable asset to the SWAT team, and we will deploy together on operations requiring a K9.
K9 Loki is a very energetic dog who already shows great enthusiasm for working in his K9 Patrol unit. On our days off, he enjoys running on the property, playing with his tug toy, and spending time with the horses.
Officer Isham and K9 Milo
As a new handler, I was quickly partnered with Milo, a 15-month-old, high-energy American Labrador. We started training together and quickly bonded through playing fetch. After several months of training, we were ready to work together in the jail.
K9 Milo loves working in the jail and eagerly waits for me at the patrol car every day. On his days off, Milo makes it clear that he’d prefer to be working, but he also enjoys running around the yard and playing fetch. I truly couldn't ask for a better partner to work with!"
As a new handler, I was quickly partnered with Milo, a 15-month-old, high-energy American Labrador. We started training together and quickly bonded through playing fetch. After several months of training, we were ready to work together in the jail.
K9 Milo loves working in the jail and eagerly waits for me at the patrol car every day. On his days off, Milo makes it clear that he’d prefer to be working, but he also enjoys running around the yard and playing fetch. I truly couldn't ask for a better partner to work with!"
