Clay County K-9 Team Achieves National Certification

CLAY COUNTY, N.C. — Deputy Sean Stout and his K-9 partner Freya have earned national certification through the North American Police Work Dog Association (NAPWDA), marking a major milestone for the Clay County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Mark Buchanan praised the accomplishment, highlighting the teamwork, dedication, and perseverance that led to the certification. “Sean and Freya have bonded and grown into an absolute dope-finding machine in just over four months,” said Buchanan. “Their hard work has now become an incredible asset to our office.”

The certification process, held in Macon County, tested the K-9 team in multiple scenarios, including interior rooms, outdoor areas, vehicles, and challenging locker hides. Vertical locker sets were noted as particularly difficult because odors can permeate multiple lockers, requiring the dog to carefully trace the scent back to the exact source. Stout and Freya successfully located 16 narcotic hides across four phases, demonstrating precision and skill.

Buchanan also acknowledged the support of the community and legal professionals who helped make the K-9 program possible. He thanked the non-profit Clay County K-9 Initiative and attorney Larry Ford, who donated his services to help establish the organization and its IRS filings.

Clay County Investigator Steven Smith, who heads the K-9 program, described the day as “an absolute pleasure” and encouraged the public to recognize the efforts of the new K-9 team. “Be sure to give Sean and Freya some love when you see them! It has definitely been earned,” he said.

The certification represents a significant achievement for the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, adding a highly trained K-9 team to assist in narcotics detection and law enforcement operations throughout the county.