By Myrek Zastavnyi
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office proudly announced the graduation of the 33rd Basic K-9 Patrol School Class, held at the agency’s K-9 Training Facility in Montgomery. The event marked the culmination of 16 weeks of intensive training, preparing a new class of elite K-9 teams to serve and protect communities across the region.
The graduates successfully completed instruction in Obedience, Agility, Tracking, Evidence Recovery, Criminal Apprehension, and Handler Protection, earning full certification as law enforcement K-9 teams.
The newly certified teams are:
- Deputy Vincent Iannuzzi & K-9 Zook (Orange County Sheriff’s Office)
- Deputy Luke Solomon & K-9 Enzo (Orange County Sheriff’s Office)
- Deputy Mark Colon & K-9 Reedy (Rockland County Sheriff’s Office)
- Deputy Zach Mitchell & K-9 Dex (Ulster County Sheriff’s Office)
- Officer Anthony Nappi & K-9 Danny (City of Peekskill Police Department)
- Officer Austin Joyce & K-9 Bandit (Town of Newburgh Police Department)
- Officer Stefano Gagliardo & K-9 Mack (Town of New Windsor Police Department)
“These teams have demonstrated the ability to locate missing persons, track suspects, recover evidence, and operate in unpredictable environments with courage, precision, and heart,” said a spokesperson from the Sheriff’s Office.
Special Projects Coordinator 1st Sergeant Jeremy Yela extended his gratitude to Sheriff Paul Arteta for his ongoing support of the K-9 program, as well as to the trainers, families, and leadership from all participating agencies. “Your dedication is the backbone of this program,” said Yela.
In his remarks to the graduating class, 1st Sgt. Yela reminded the officers of the bond between handler and dog:
“The dog is neither a tool nor a toy. You are partners, giving each other advice. Each brings something to the work that the other doesn’t have and cannot do alone.”
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office invites the community to congratulate these hardworking teams as they begin their service across the Hudson Valley.
Trust your dog.
