Jack, a 9-year-old yellow Labrador retriever who joined Vanderbilt in 2018, was the university’s first community K-9 patrol partner to Sgt. Shaneithia Lewis, who has been a member of the VUPD team since 2014. Max, a 4-year-old beagle-basset hound, joined Vanderbilt in 2022 as a K-9 patrol partner to Officer Edwin Melgar, who joined the VUPD team in 2015.
Unlike K-9 officers in many law enforcement agencies, Jack and Max interact with people while on duty and provide emotional support during stressful times, such as finals week. Frequently spotted around campus and at events—sometimes dressed in costumes from their ever-growing closet—the pair bring smiles wherever they go.
