National Park Service lauds K-9 officer Boomer on retirement after 56 dog years of service

After 56 dog years on the job, Boomer is calling it quits.

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The K-9, a black lab who has been at Chickasaw National Recreation Area in Oklahoma since 2011, is retiring later this month, the National Park Service said in a news release Friday.

The dog began working at the park after completing training for narcotics detection, the release said.

According to the news release, Boomer has been used to help detect illegal drugs in the Oklahoma park, in his community and during special assignments.

"He has been instrumental in helping detect illegal drugs in his home park, the local community, and on special assignment to other National Park Service units," park officials said in the news release.

According to the release, Boomer will spend the next few weeks "training" his successor, K-9 Rex, before retiring.

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