Submitted photo Nix, a German shepherd, has adjusted well since coming last fall to the Canfield Police Department. His handler is officer Aaron Young, who also works with the Drug Enforcement Administration. The DEA funded Nix, who is trained to alert on marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin.

CANFIELD — As the saying goes, dog is man’s best friend.

That rings true for local handler Aaron Young of the Canfield Police Department and his police dog Nix.

The German shepherd joined the department last year and is trained to alert to marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin. He does not apprehend suspects.

Working as a handler is something Young can cross off his bucket list.

“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do in my career,” he said. “It’s definitely a dream come true. It’s everything I was hoping it would be. … Everything and more.”

Excitement and assurance goes with handling, Young said. “Seeing his drive” is something to watch.

“We get up in the morning, get him ready and fed. He goes and sits by the back door waiting to go to work,” Young said.

Nix is one of the crew when he arrives at the police station, or is around anyone, Young said. “He’s super sociable and very friendly.”

But there’s work to be done, too, and that’s rewarding. “It’s very pleasing to know. … Hopefully, we are making some bit of difference getting substances off the streets,” Young said.

Just recently Nix sniffed out narcotics in the mail, finding 2.2 pounds of fentanyl.

Young is an officer with Canfield department but also works with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration. The latter funds Nix. Cost for the dog was about $20,000, with no city or taxpayer dollars used.

The pair trained at Shallow Creek Kennels in Sharpsville, Pa., in September and October. They hit the road the first week of the November.

When it was announced last summer Young was getting a furry companion, the department turned to the community to help choose a name.

Ultimately, Young and his wife Jennifer chose Nix out of a series of polls held online.

Nix isn’t the only police dog in Canfield.

Rocky, also a German shepherd, has been with the department for several years with handler and officer Chad DeBarr. Rocky is trained in alerting to drugs amd apprehends suspects.

Donations for the “Canfield K9 Fund” can be made by contacting police Chief Chuck Colucci or the clerk’s division.