New K9 officer patrolling Shawnee

The Shawnee National Forest and Law Enforcement and Investigation have a new member of the LE&I team, Samio, a 3-year-old German shepherd.

K9 Samio is certified in patrol and narcotics work and is assigned to LE&I Officer Joan Rizkallah, according to a release from the Shawnee National Forest.

Rizkallah and K9 Samio spent six weeks together in training as K9 Samio began his formal LE&I training in September 2014 and officially began duty on the Shawnee in November. 


To support K9 Samio in performing his duties safely, the newest member of the LE&I team was awarded a ballistic vest thanks to a non-profit organization, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c (3) charity located in East Taunton, Mass., whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States.

The nonprofit was established in 2009 to assist law enforcement agencies with this potentially life-saving body armor for their four legged K9 Officers.