LYONS, N.Y. — The Wayne County Sheriff's Office has just brought on the first female K-9 officers in the department, just after the undersheriff was recognized at the state with the Women in Distinction Award.

Taking a break from testing, students from Wayne Central School District’s special education program visited Lincoln Fire Department for its sixth annual Fun and Safety event.

“We want our young friends to know that whenever they need help, we’re always their friends," Firefighter Bob Brewer said. "They can always trust us. And this is a great opportunity to do that.”

But the star of the show was a special guest: Romeo, the Wayne County Sheriff’s new emotional support K-9.

“He’ll come into interview rooms with me, and just be there to be pet and loved on, and give kisses to little kids,” Deputy Caitlin Fitzgerald said.

Fitzgerald is his handler, one in a pair of the WCSO’s first female K-9 officers.

“It’s awesome. I’m definitely very grateful to the sheriff’s office for trusting me with this position,” Fitzgerald said.

She’s proud to share the honor with Deputy Megan King and her bloodhound Ruby. King wasn’t at the event, but echoed Fitzgerald’s thoughts on the accomplishment.

“As a little girl, I wanted to be a police officer my entire life. And to see it come to fruition and actually have a dog ... being a K-9 officer has been a dream of mine for a really long time. And it came to fruition,” Fitzgerald said.

Sheriff Rob Milby says the two were simply the most qualified for the job, but the representation still means a lot to the women behind the badge.

“We bring something unique to a situation," Undersheriff Tammy Ryndock said. "You know, when I started this job, I was very tiny, much tinier than I am now. And I had to be able to have the gift of gab, and I truly believe that’s what women bring to this career.”

In fact, undersheriff Tammy Ryndock was an honoree of the New York State Senate’s Women of Distinction Award, recognized in May alongside more than 50 other women across the entire state.

“I really truly did feel honored. I was amongst so many wonderful women of all different facets,” Ryndock said.

Ryndock is an inspiration to Fitzgerald.

“There’s a couple of things nobody can take from you, and that’s your character and integrity. And I really do feel that that’s what’s made me successful in my career thus far,” Ryndock said.

Now Fitzgerald hopes to be an inspiration to others.

“I hope we’re paving the way, especially for little girls and kids, so they know they can be anything they want to be,” Fitzgerald said.