Trix

Handler: Douglas Robin
Breed: Belgian Malinois
DOB: 6/14/2014
Department: Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office
Function: Narcotics Detection
Years Worked:

K9 Trix is an 11 year old Belgian Malinois who spent the majority of her career working inside the Lafayette Parish Correctional Center, where the physical demands on her body were significant. Daily tasks such as repeatedly jumping in and out of vehicles climbing stairs and elevated surfaces inside the facility, navigating tight spaces, and maintaining long hours of active searching placed consistent strain on her joints throughout her working years.

K9 Trix was trained and certified under the guidance of master trainer Roger Abshire of US K9 Unlimited (Louisiana). Mr. Abshire is widely recognized in the law-enforcement canine community for his decades of experience, especially in detection (narcotics, explosives) and patrol K9 work. Through this program, Trix completed handler-and-dog certification that encompassed obedience, controlled detection, handler teamwork, search operations, and real-world deployment simulations—ensuring she met or exceeded industry standards established by leading associations.

In addition to her academy training, Trix has held annual certifications with the National Police Canine Association (NPCA). The NPCA is a non-profit association dedicated to the training, development and certification of law-enforcement canine teams, offering nationally-accepted certifications that validate a dog/handler team’s proficiency in detection, handler collaboration, deployment readiness and legal/court admissibility of K9 operations. National Police Canine Association These annual certifications reinforce that Trix remained current in her skills, maintained operational readiness, and upheld recognized standards throughout her service.

Together, the rigorous training at US K9 Unlimited and the ongoing NPCA certifications demonstrate that Trix was not only professionally trained, but also held up-to-date credentials that supported her operational integrity, reliability, and value as a law-enforcement asset.

During her years of dedicated service, K9 Trix made significant contributions to the safety and security of the Lafayette Parish Correctional Center. As a highly trained narcotics, cell phone, and tobacco detection K9, she played a critical role in preventing contraband from entering and circulating within the facility.

Under her second handler, Trix successfully located marijuana, methamphetamine, multiple forms of tobacco products, and numerous nicotine vapes—each find directly supporting staff safety and reducing the risk of violence, overdoses, and other dangerous incidents inside the correctional environment. Her work not only disrupted the flow of contraband but also reinforced deterrence measures within the inmate population.

In June 2019, K9 Trix was formally recognized for her exceptional performance when she was named Corrections Deputy of the Month after detecting marijuana during a large-scale facility shakedown. This recognition reflects both her reliability and her dedication to her duties, as well as the significant impact her work had on maintaining a secure environment.

As a result of this intense, repetitive activity, Trix now suffers from severe hip dysplasia and advanced arthritis. These conditions have become progressively more painful and require ongoing medical management to ensure she can retain comfortable and maintain a good quality of life in retirement. Her treatment plan includes multiple prescription medications, joint supplements and routine veterinary follow-ups. These expenses add up quickly and place a substantial burden on her handler, who adopted her at the end of her service. While her family is committed to giving her the care she deserves after years of loyal service, the cumulative cost of managing her chronic conditions is becoming increasingly difficult to manage.
Trix dedicated her career to protecting our community, and her handler is doing everything possible to honor that service. Assistance with her medical expenses would significantly ease the strain while ensuring she continues to receive the care she needs in her retirement.