AUSTIN, Texas — On Friday, Texas Department of Public Safety graduated three troopers and three canines from an eight-week training program.

The K-9 teams will join 42 other DPS teams stationed throughout Texas, including six explosive-detection teams stationed in Austin.

“DPS canine teams are an integral part of the department’s efforts to detect and disrupt drug trafficking and other criminal activity that threaten the safety of our communities,” said Director Steven McCraw. “We are proud that these canine officers are officially joining our ranks, and we are confident that these expertly-trained teams will work together, following their instincts, to help make Texas a safer place."

Two of the dogs came from the U.S. Department of Defense and one was donated.

A yellow Labrador retriever, a German shepherd and a Malaherd join the force. The newly-trained canines will be used for drug detection.

The new dogs and their duty stations Netti (Dumas), Kelsey (San Antonio) and Loko (San Angelo).

The three will replace retiring dogs in the DPS K-9 program.