The Vail Police Department has welcomed its newest member, K-9 Star. Star is a 19-month-old mix breed of Belgian Malinois and German shepherd. She will assist the department in finding missing persons, tracking criminals and narcotic detection, plus assist Vail Mountain Rescue with missing person searches.

Vail Police Officer Ryan Millbern initiated the process to add a K-9 unit to the department and says after months of research he eventually came upon Star, who was available at Highland Canine Training in North Carolina. Star went through several months of training prior to a three-week orientation session with Officer Millbern, who is Star’s handler. The training was donated and took place at the canine center. Millbern says Star’s name fits her perfectly as she immediately took to the training showing a great deal of potential as a police service dog. “The police department is excited to have Star as one of its newest members,” said Millbern. “She makes us a full service police department and her capabilities only enhance our already high level of service.”

Star was rescued by the Humane Society of Iredell, N.C., where the director of Highland Canine Training Jason Purgason met her. According to Purgason, the center was impressed with her drive and ambition and immediately placed her in their Second Chance Program for training. “Star definitely had the potential to make a great detection dog,” said Purgason. “Star also allowed us to unite our Police Dog Donation Program with our Second Chance Program for rescue and shelter dogs. We then served two needs by giving Star a second chance and providing Vail with an effective resource.”

Star was donated to the police department through the Paul LeBlanc Memorial Police Dog Donation program, which is sponsored by Highland Canine Training. Star will be available for public appearances at schools and other public forums later this year.