A friendly, lap-loving Lab might not look like a cutting-edge crime-fighter—but don’t be fooled. Behind the wagging tail and soft eyes is a powerful partner in the fight against child exploitation and trafficking.
Electronic Storage Detection (ESD) K9s are expertly trained police dogs that use their incredible sense of smell to locate hidden electronic devices – like hard drives, SD Cards, cellphones and computers or any type of item that could potentially contain evidence of child exploitation and even trafficking.
These dogs are able to uncover the digital clues that their law enforcement partners may miss, helping investigators rescue survivors and bring predators to justice.
Since the first ESD K9 was deployed by the Connecticut State Police in 2013, they have been changing the game in the world of sexual crimes against children. In 2015, Jordan Detection K9 was founded and in 2017, Our Rescue sponsored our first ESD K9 who graduated from the Jorden Detection K9 program.
When we showcase our ESD K9 graduations, people see a ceremony—the proud handler standing beside their new partner, ready to get to work. But behind every graduation is a very intentional process that brings these extraordinary crime fighting teams together.
At Our Rescue, each ESD K9 we and our donor’s sponsor, represent months of evaluation, preparation, and training designed to ensure that these dogs, and the investigators who team with them, are equipped to help protect children from exploitation and bring predators to justice.
To understand what it takes to get there, we spoke with Our Rescue team member Chaz Balogh, who himself was a former law enforcement officer and current ESD K9 handler. Today Chaz oversees this process from start to finish.
Selecting the Right Agency and Handler
“The process starts when a law enforcement agency submits an application,” explains Chaz. “We ask very specific questions about the work they do—how many cases involve child sexual exploitation or trafficking, whether they’re affiliated with ICAC (Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force), how many cyber tips they handle each year. We want to make sure their mission aligns with ours.”
Once an agency applies, the Our Rescue team very intentionally reviews the agency to see if they are a good fit for sponsorship. If approved, the agency signs a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that outlines the agreement.
“It’s not just about funding a dog,” Chaz says. “We want to know that the team will make the most of this resource. That includes providing updates, statistics, and success stories so we can show our donors that these dogs are truly making an impact.”
From there, the team conducts a site assessment, visiting both the department and the handler’s home. “We look at everything,” Chaz explains. “Where the handler works, whether there’s space for the dog to be nearby, how safe the home environment is. We even talk with the family to make sure they’re on board—because it’s not just the handler’s commitment, it’s a family commitment.”
Where the Dogs Come From
The ESD dogs Our Rescue sponsors are often Labrador Retrievers who come from specialized programs across the country, and many are originally bred and trained as service or guide dogs. Chaz explained that Labradors are chosen for their loyalty, gentle nature, and love of food. These traits make them both eager learners and compassionate partners in the field.
“These dogs are exceptional,” says Chaz. “They might have been trained to open doors or assist people with disabilities. That foundation makes them perfect candidates to learn the skills needed to locate hidden electronic devices.”
Before any dog begins training, they’re tested by master trainer Todd Jordan of Jordan Detection K9, who has partnered with Our Rescue for years. “Todd travels to where the dogs are and evaluates them himself,” Chaz explains. “He looks for the right temperament, drive, and focus. Not every dog makes it, but the ones that do are incredible.”
The Training Process
Once selected, the dogs head to Indianapolis, Indiana, where Jordan Detection K9 begins the training process. Over the course of three to six months, the dogs are “imprinted” on a specific chemical compound—triphenylphosphine oxide—found in nearly every electronic storage device.
“They learn to detect the odor that’s present on hard drives, SD cards, cell phones, anything that stores data,” Chaz says. “When a dog alerts on a location, it helps investigators uncover evidence that might otherwise go unnoticed.”
After this initial phase, it’s time for the handlers to begin their own intensive two-week training course. “That’s when the real teamwork starts,” says Chaz. “They train together every day, including weekends, learning how to read each other, how to communicate, and how to search effectively as a team. When they graduate, they graduate together.”
A Lifelong Partnership
After graduation, the dogs go home with their handlers to begin full-time work with their departments. From that day forward, the bond between handler and K9 continues to deepen and grow.
“It’s a seven-days-a-week job,” Chaz says. “You’re feeding, training, exercising, and caring for the dog every day. But it’s worth it. These dogs are not just tools—they’re family. And they’re helping save lives.”
Our Rescue continues to follow each team long after graduation, collecting updates and success stories to share with the donors who make this work possible. “We always want to be able to tell our donors, ‘Here’s what your support made possible,’” says Chaz.
Beyond the training field, these dogs are also trained to provide trauma support, bringing calm and connection to those who need it most. Whether comforting a survivor or lifting the spirits of officers after a difficult case, their presence brings a sense of peace to everyone around them.
From the first application to the moment these dogs alert on a hidden device, every step in this process represents hope for a world free from child sexual exploitation. And for the departments who receive these game-changing team members—and the children their work protects—these dogs are more than partners. They’re lifelines.
To date, Our Rescue has sponsored 129 ESD K9s worldwide, each one serving as both a force for justice and a source of comfort in the fight against child exploitation.
In November, we will graduate 15 new ESD K9s, representing the largest Our Rescue sponsored class yet. You can help fund these incredible dogs today by donating now. Help us keep kids safe right here in our own backyard.
