It's another win for the Coconino County Sheriff's Office as Corporal Ben Waibel and his K9 partner Dex seized top honors at the 2025 Desert Dog K9 Trials held in Scottsdale, AZ. Making their mark among the competition, Waibel and Dex stood out from forty-four law enforcement K9 teams across the Southwest, clinching several high placements, which included the Overall Top Dog Award.
During the trials, this formidable K9 duo demonstrated a synergy that garnered them First Place in Tactical Obedience, Third Place in Area Search, Third Place in Handler Protection, not just that but the highly coveted Overall Top Dog Award. Dex and Waibel have been in partnership since the spring of 2022, and this isn't their first victory lap at the trials; with a previous win in 2023's Tactical Challenge, it's clear that their commitment to excellence doesn't just show, it shines. In July, they complemented this winning streak by nabbing the 2025 K9 Officer of the Year Award from the Arizona Narcotics Officers Association—a notable recognition of their effective crime-fighting synergy.
The success of Corporal Waibel and Dex underscores the high-caliber work of Coconino County's Sheriff's Office K9 Unit, emphasizing the importance of ongoing training and an ethos of dedication. This team's journey is shared on the Sheriff’s Office website, highlighting their consistent performance and the profound bond that supports their daily service. With feats like these, it's no surprise that the agency takes immense pride in the duo's accomplishments, reflecting the professional and united spirit ingrained in their K9 program.
The Desert Dog K9 Trials are designed to be rigorous, pitting law enforcement teams from across Arizona and neighboring states against each other in a series of challenges that test obedience, agility, tactical response, and search operations, promoting a spirit of excellence and camaraderie among agencies dedicated to keeping communities safe. The event also doubles as a melting pot for these specially trained teams to measure their abilities and glean insights from one another, fostering an environment where the sharing of knowledge and skills is just as important as the competition itself.
