Man's best friend can also be a sheriff deputy's best friend.

The Delaware Ohio Kennel Club (DOKC) knows the importance of that relationship and recently gave Delaware County Sheriff Walter Davis III a $6,000 donation to the department's canine unit.

"They're an extra help for law enforcement and we thought it would be a good way to help the community," said John Niles, DOKC treasurer. "It was a matching gift. The $6,000 amount is about half of what it costs for a new dog."

The department has three dogs -- Thor, Rocky and Rondo -- one for every shift, said Davis said in an e-mail.

"A canine can be a powerful tool," Davis wrote. "A trained dog can search a vehicle or a building in a matter of minutes where it might take a deputy more than an hour. Canines can also protect deputies as they deal with unpredictable subjects and situations."

"This donation is important because when Thor retires, we will be able to maintain our level of service," he said.

The department's oldest dog, Thor is almost 10 and will retire in 2010, Davis said.

"The lifestyle of a working, law enforcement dog is a rigorous one. Constant activity takes a toll on a canine," Davis said. "In dog years, Thor is approaching senior-citizen status."

The dogs are purchased through vendors in Ohio and are bred in European countries including Germany and the Czech Republic, Davis said.

"The dogs receive initial obedience and protection work in Europe. However, the imprinting of odor detection is carried on ... during Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission mandated training and certification," he said.

The dogs live and work with the deputies who are their handlers. Thor's handler will buy him from the county for $1 when Thor retires. The canines are very loyal to their particular handler, Davis said.

Canine handlers at the department are selected through a process.

When a canine handler position becomes available, it's posted. Interested deputies take a physical agility test, followed by a written exam and an interview before a review board, Davis said, noting he makes the final decision based on the review board recommendation.

After the deputies complete a canine handler course, they are certified through the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy.

"This job is a 24/7 responsibility for the handler. They live with the dog. They interact and train with the dog every single day, even when they are not at work," Davis said.

The department pays the dog food and veterinarian bills. So far this year, the department has spent a total of $888 on food and bed-shavings for the dogs' kennels and $850 for veterinarian bills, Davis said.

"The sheriff's office employs multi-purpose dogs, meaning one dog can be a valuable resource in a variety of cases including drug investigations, suspect apprehensions and missing person searches. A canine presence can also increase officer safety and help sheriff's deputies build relationships with the public," Davis said: "During a traffic stop on Polaris Parkway, Thor recently found 1,000 ecstasy pills hidden in the car. Also when several Olentangy schools were forced to lockdown due to a fugitive search in the area, it was Rocky who found the suspect hiding in some brush."

DOKC president Lamont M. Yoder said in a press release, "Our club was touched by the successful career of Thor when he attended one of our meetings and we heard of all he has done for our community. During challenging economic times, it is even more important that organizations and clubs support our community through donation of our time and resources. Making a financial donation that allows for the purchase of the next dog for the Delaware County Sheriff's Office is perfectly aligned with our club's mission."