Since 2024, something remarkable has been happening at the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS)—dogs are helping investigators find what the human eye might miss.

At the center of that effort is Jill, a Labrador retriever from Warrior Canine Connection (WCC), and the first dog placed in NCIS’s Electronic Storage Detection (ESD) K-9 program. She lives and works full time with NCIS Program Manager, Special Agent David Lawhorn, accompanying him into the office each day and serving in a role that bridges Veteran service, canine training and federal law enforcement.

The program is part of a growing effort within NCIS to enhance investigations involving hidden digital evidence. The dogs are trained to detect odor signatures associated with electronic storage devices—tools that can be concealed in everyday objects and used in criminal activity involving military families and national security concerns.

But Jill’s story begins far from the kennel and the lab.

David’s path to creating the program started with a long career of service. A former mechanic in the U.S. Air Force, he spent eight years on active duty before joining NCIS in 2005, where he worked civilian law enforcement cases tied to the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. A conversation about his younger self ultimately resurfaced a long-dormant ambition.

“If you could talk to your 15-year-old self, what would you tell yourself to do?” he recalled being asked. His answer was immediate: “I always wanted to fly Apache helicopters and work with dogs.”

While one dream had passed, the other became a possibility. That moment set in motion years of research, proposal writing and program development that ultimately led to the launch of the NCIS Electronic Storage Detection K-9 program in 2024. Jill was its first graduate.

Today, she is more than a working dog—she is a daily presence in the office and a steady companion in the field. According to David, her impact extends well beyond operational value.

“If we’re not there, people ask where Jill is,” he said. “Nobody cares if I show up. I’m just the other end of the leash.”

Still, he is quick to emphasize what the dogs enable investigators to do.

“These devices are getting smaller and easier to hide,” David said. “They can be placed inside ordinary objects meant to avoid detection. The dogs help us find what people would otherwise miss.”

Electronic detection dogs, like Jill, are trained to locate hidden storage devices such as memory cards, thumb drives, cell phones and hard drives—items that can be concealed inside ordinary objects like key fobs, wine corks or toy containers. These devices may contain critical digital evidence related to serious crimes, including child exploitation and other criminal activity. By alerting investigators to the presence of electronics, dogs help uncover items that might otherwise go unnoticed during searches.

Jill’s journey began at WCC, where dogs are raised and trained alongside Veterans participating in Mission-Based Trauma Recovery (MBTR). Through the program, Veterans help train the dogs for their fellow Warriors, while supporting their own healing. Some dogs go on to become service dogs for Veterans, while others—guided by their strengths and instincts—choose different paths, including detection work, search and rescue, facility support roles or even life as a beloved pet in a military family.

When WCC dogs reach approximately 18 months of age, they enter the final stage of training, where professional trainers assess command comprehension, confidence in public settings and overall drive to work. While most dogs move into service, facility or military family support roles, some are better suited for alternative paths based on factors such as energy level or motivation. Dogs that may not be suited for traditional service roles, including those with lack of house manners or prey drive, often thrive in detection environments. Training relies entirely on positive reinforcement, with handlers using rewards to shape detection behavior.

“Especially for our high-energy dogs, having the opportunity to use their nose and stay physically busy helps channel their energy productively,” said Jennifer Blessing, a WCC service dog training instructor. “Many of the behaviors that aren’t ideal for assistance work are perfectly suited for detection roles, making it a win-win for dogs that need extra mental stimulation and a clear task to complete.”

For David, Jill is more than a partner on the job—she is the living result of a career shift that turned a personal dream into a capability now serving NCIS every day.

Today, Jill’s work, along with several others who came through WCC, is a powerful reminder that a dog trained to support Veterans can also help protect their families and the communities they call home.
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