May 2, 2024
We are so excited to introduce you to K9 Maia, the Seattle Police Department’s newest certified Explosive Detection K9!
Maia is a 19-month-old Labrador retriever and the proud successor of K9 Jazzy-Juno, who will be retiring sometime this year. Maia seems to know she has some big paws to fill and is doing her best to work hard and make sure that Seattle’s events venues are safe.
She’s such a good girl!
Paired with ABS Officer Eric Dupleich, Maia joined the Department in November of last year and earned her Explosive Detection certification through the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC) on April 10, 2024.
Maia was purchased by Seattle resident NancyLee Davidson, a Seattle Police Foundation friend, donor, volunteer, and tireless supporter. A Boeing-employee-turned-educator, NancyLee is a selfless gem of a human who has devoted her life to volunteerism and giving back to her community. She is a lifelong advocate for law enforcement, which is something her parents instilled in her at a young age.
But reverence for law enforcement aside, it was really the dogs that drew her in.
“I just fell in love with the dogs. It started with volunteering, and then I decided that I was going to donate money,” NancyLee said. “This was a cause that I could get behind and my parents would love it.”
NancyLee’s regular volunteerism with SPF led to many meetings with K9 Jazzy, who routinely attends SPF events as a greeter and ambassador for SPD. NancyLee has always felt a strong connection with the gentle, sweet-natured Labrador retriever, so when she learned that Jazzy would be retiring sometime in 2024, her mind was made up.
“I thought, ‘I’m going to buy Eric’s next dog and we are going to name the dog together,” NancyLee recalled.
K9 Maia is only NancyLee’s most recent investment in the K9 Unit. Last year, she helped fund a multiday emergency medical training program, which was open to all SPD K9 handlers. This interactive class welcomed Paravet K9 Founder Evan Nolte, who provided classroom instruction, hands-on learning, and dynamic training scenarios.
She’s also provided funding for K9 safety gear.
When it came to naming Maia, NancyLee approached Officer Dupleich with three ideas. Both were partial to the name Maia, which translates to “mother.”
Perhaps one of the greatest things about Maia’s journey with SPD so far, is that it’s given her time to work side by side with Jazzy and learn from her. Jazzy has been very accepting of Maia, and at the same time Maia is learning the art of boundaries when it comes to her four-legged mentor. The two have been together since November and do really well together, Officer Dupleich shared recently, and Maia is definitely picking up some of Jazzy’s mannerisms.
We’re so grateful to NancyLee for her incredible generosity! We’re excited to watch Maia follow in Jazzy’s footsteps and, along with Officer Dupleich, continue Jazzy’s legacy of improved public safety for people who live, work, and play in our vibrant city.
