Hi, my name is Garcia. I am a black Lab. I was born in New Jersey on July 19, 2004. When I turned 1-year-old I was sent to The Seeing Eye Foundation. They have a school where dogs learn how to help guide the blind. Everyone quickly realized I was full of energy and I loved to smell everything around me. The Seeing Eye decided I would make a good Explosives Detection dog. That is where I go around sniffing for bombs and explosives.

The Seeing Eye Foundation sent me to a place called the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). I made a lot of new friends with all the other dogs that were there. After being at the ATF for a couple of weeks, the people there showed me a new trick. I learned that if I sniffed out explosives and sat down, they would give me food. (And I love food!)

After being there for six weeks, I finally met my new partner, K-9 Officer Charles. I really like my partner! Officer Charles took me outside and would let me play with the other dogs. He would brush my coat and gave me a bath every week. After 10 weeks of training, I started to go home every day with my partner.

Each morning, Officer Charles and I wake up and go to work at the CIA. Sniffing for explosives is an important job. At the end of the work day, I go home with my partner. In the evening, Officer Charles and his wife take me for walks around the pond behind our house. His wife is great, and she likes to play games with me. She chases me around the house with a lint roller. She’s always trying to pick up my loose hair. It is very funny to watch.

Overall, I love my job, my home, and especially my partner and his wife.