After reading a book about K-9 officers, students at Wescosville Elementary School learned firsthand how dogs can assist police in the line of duty.

Emmaus K-9 Officer Craig Blose and his trusty sidekick Zandor visited with third grade students to demonstrate the partnership and loyalty possible between canine and human in a working environment.

Approximately 120 students in five classes read the book "Aero and Officer Mike: Police Partners" before meeting with a local duo sworn to protect and serve the public.

"We are very grateful Officer Blose and Zandor were able to attend," Third Grade Teacher Samantha Moyer said. "This presentation really ties in with our curriculum."

Moyer said she invited Blose to the school and arranged the assembly because meeting a police K-9 could really help bring the story to life for the students.

Blose told students a well-trained police dog can take the place of 10 to 15 officers. He said German shepherds, like Zandor, can use their tremendous sense of smell to rescue lost or injured people and find drugs or explosives. Zandor also offers protection for officers and an uncanny ability to chase down perpetrators.

Blose said Zandor's "42 points of persuasion" generally convince fleeing suspects to comply peacefully while keeping officers in a safer position.

Zandor is six years old and a four-year veteran of the Emmaus Police Department. As of this year Zandor has a top speed of 31 mph, which is faster than the fastest human ever recorded. His teeth can really pack a punch and he is even fitted for a bullet-resistant vest as a defensive measure.

Zandor was born, bred and raised in Holland and responds to commands in Dutch.

This is the third police dog Blose has partnered with and the third set of commands he has had to learn. His first dog, Bosco, responded to German and his second dog, Ajax, responded to Czech.

Blose said the dogs have all stayed at his home while off duty. He told students about Zandor's insulated outdoor dog house equipped with a heated water bowl.

Zandor stays outside down to 20 degrees. Being acclimated to cold temperatures helps protect his healthy coat and contributes to him being a stronger working dog.

Blose said a hot day is much more dangerous for the dog than a cold night.

In fact, Blose's police cruiser is equipped with a computer system designed to know the temperature in the car whether Blose is there or not. If it gets hot in the vehicle, the computer will roll the window down and provide some air for the animal. The system will also simultaneously send a message to a specially designed pager on Blose's belt and call his cell phone.

Blose's pager is no ordinary alert system. It is equipped with a button to open the cruiser's door if he is in trouble. This action will prompt Zandor to run to his partner's rescue, knowing right away there is an issue.

Zandor seems to anticipate Blose's movement and always follows his command. They have a special bond as partners, friends and family.

You can always find Zandor walking on Blose's left to protect his weaker side, the side not equipped with a service weapon.

When Zandor is not at work, his favorite pastime is "some good old-fashioned tug of war."

"That's my partner," Blose said with a smile. "He is my best friend."