K9 Veterans Day reminds us to appreciate working dogs

Parkersburg, W.VA. (WTAP) – The K9 Veterans Day is a national holiday, reminds us to appreciate the working dogs in our communities.

The Wood County's office has a retired K9 whose name is Drago. K9 Drago retired in October 2024 after six years of service.

Sergeant Taylor Phillips and K9 Drago were paired in 2018. They went through the training together and then K9 drago joined SGT. Phillips in the Wood County Sheriff's Office.

K9 Drago answered around 60 to 70s a year during his six -year service for our community.

SGT. According to Phillips, K9 Drago contributed to being safe during work.

“Drago had a lot of success in his career, a few remarkable for me would probably be his last concern, in which he and another deputy and other officers really kept me at this point and really helped a bad person not to get away, which would probably have been left away if we hadn't had a dog,” said Phillips.

SGT. Phillips decided to withdraw K9 Drago after he started developing arthritis. She said she wanted to make sure that he could not revise and enjoy retirement.

Sgt. Phillips said he misses that he works for the Wood County Sheriff's Office.

“Drago's retirement at the beginning was hard for him. He still wanted to go to work every day and he still does. But he realized that he has to stay at home, and he spends his time to sleep on his dog bed and look for the house.

Since K9 Drago's retirement, SGT. Phillips has accepted another K9 called Demon. K9 Demon is as committed as K9 Drago.

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