K-9 Zara was adopted by Officer Steven Escobar in September 2013 from the Alexandria Animal Shelter. She exhibited all of the characteristics to become a police canine. Officer Escobar donated her to the Police Department and she began her initial training in April of 2014. She successfully graduated patrol school in August 2014.

 

K9 Zara would also become an Explosive Ordinance Detector and with Officer Escobar conducted hundreds of searches for major city events and also assisted other jurisdictions including Arlington in securing major events such as the Marine Core Marathon. During her time with the Alexandria Police Department , K-9 Zara and Officer Escobar won the triple crown award in 2015, 2018, and 2019 which is the highest honor given to a K-9 team that certifies in patrol, tracking and detection all within a calendar year.

 

K9 Zara retired in March 2020 after serving the city for 7 years. Officer Escobar now has a new partner, K9 Stella.