The Columbus Police Department welcomed back two of its officers and their canine partners who recently completed a four week K-9 certification course in Michigan.

Lt. Matt Harris, department spokesman, says that Officer Jeremy Jones attended the training with his police dog, Max, who was previously

assigned to another handler at the department. The previous handler moved from the area to take a job with another law-enforcement agency, said Jones. He talked about the bond that an officer and his dog share, noting that Max was howling for the first couple of days that he had him, missing his previous handler. Jones went on to say that the training was just part of the process in the pair getting used to one another. As he tossed a tennis ball for Max, Jones said that the pair are now close. Jones added that their partnership began in full this past Sunday with their first patrol together.

Officer Chad Lehman also completed the course with a new police dog after his previous canine partner, Rex, retired after eight years of service.

Lehman announced the name of his new partner, “Niko” during Wednesday’s event.