PAUL - It was business as usual for Minidoka County sheriff's K-9 officer Reno as he ate lunch Wednesday with coloring contest winners from Paul Elementary School.

Long glances toward the end of the table, accompanied by giggles from the contest-winning students - Peyton McManus, Sonjya Jensen, Enrique Berrelleza, McKenzie Walton, Mindy Ketterling and Shaylyn Pool - didn't seem to affect Reno's appetite as he picked at his meal served on a lunch tray.

"I really liked it when the dog ate his food off the table," said Berrelleza, a second-grader.

Reno, who has been on the job in Minidoka County for 15 months, is state dual-certified as a patrol and drug-detection dog.

"Reno adds a lot to the department," said Vic Watson, Minidoka County Sheriff's chief deputy. "Idaho recognizes certified K-9s as police officers so it basically adds another deputy to the force."

Watson said Reno accompanies his handler, Deputy Cpl. Joe Moore, on patrol and essentially serves as his backup during calls and is utilized for building searches and drug detection.

Although Reno is currently the only K-9 officer in Minidoka County, the department is in the development phase with another dog. Watson said K-9 programs are expensive and Moore hosts benefit dinners and sells T-shirts to support his K-9 partner so the cost doesn't fall on taxpayers.

"He has these super weapons with him all the time," Watson said about the effectiveness of using a K-9 on patrol. "And Reno is the best-trained K-9 we've ever seen."

Moore said he may also be the youngest dual-certified K-9 in the state.

"He has to do exactly what Joe tells him to do or else he would be a liability to the county," Watson said. "So the training is constant, Joe trains him every week."

Moore said Reno's training allows him to go from eating lunch at the school with all of the children petting him straight to a call to apprehend a violent suspect.

"I love having him come in and visit the kids," said Colleen Johnson, principal at Paul Elementary School. "It allows them to see the sheriff's office as a friend."

Moore said he uses his K-9 on duty about 125 times a year and in September Reno demonstrated his apprehension abilities by assisting Moore in taking down a threatening suspect during a domestic violence call.

"He's a businessman," Moore said. "He knows when it's time to bring in a suspect and when it's time to kiss the babies."

Anyone wishing to donate to the Minidoka County Sheriff's K-9 fund or purchase a Reno T-shirt may call the sheriff's office at 434-2320. The shirts cost $20.

Laurie Welch may be reached at lwelch@magicvalley.com or 208-677-8767.