Name a few occupations you can think of that involve working with furry animals. Veterinarian, groomer, pet shop owner ...

He Shitao has been working with furry friends for 18 years, but in his case, his companions are police dogs, and he is a police officer. "For me, raising and training police dogs is a pleasure, rather than a burden. They are very intelligent and make trustworthy comrades-in-arms," He said.

Born in 1981 in Henan province, He dreamed about being a police officer as a child. Gaining admittance to the Criminal Investigation Police University of China in Shenyang, Liaoning province, he mastered the basic skills of training, and learned to get along with police dogs.

"Dogs are like human beings, they have different characteristics and abilities. We first need to know their strengths and weaknesses, and then set up different training plans."

The bond between humans and dogs starts with grooming, feeding and playing together. Training takes up the entire life span of a police dog, which is usually between 12 and 15 years. "We're not able to communicate through language, so observation of their behavior is critical to mutual understanding," He said. Patience and kindness are important characteristics in a dog trainer.

To train their four-legged charges to work with humans, trainers need to practice running and fighting with their dogs. Physical strength is also very important.

"When training, it's easy to get bitten accidentally. It's a process of getting to know each other," he said. "Police dogs can be trained to be security guards, to track, to search for drugs and blood, to find explosives and maintain order."

After graduation in 2003, He began working at the Fuzhou Public Security Department in Fujian province and brought the dog he had trained at college with him.

The same year, he went on his first real-time mission with his police dog, when he and his comrade-in-arms found illegal firecrackers in Minhou county. "Depending on the mission, we will dispatch different dogs. Every police officer has at least three dogs with different skills," he said.

In 2019, He and his colleagues dispatched six dogs in search of evidence in a robbery and murder case in Fuqing, Fujian. They found a bloody jacket, glove and shirt, uncovering crucial evidence that helped close the case.

When it is 6 months old, a canine candidate is measured according to five criteria: appearance; health; courage; fetching and the desire to hold onto items acquired. If the animal qualifies, it will receive training for further three months in different disciplines. A final test is needed before it officially becomes a police dog.

Two of He's dog friends were honored by the Ministry of Public Security. He's love of dogs has grown daily over the past 18 years but he isn't able to keep a pet because he works day and night.

In recognition of his hard work and dedication, He received the National Labor Medal from the All-China Federation of Trade Unions in April, but for him, the honor also extends to his seniors and peers, who work day and night to solve cases and raise police dogs. "The experience of dog training can also be applied to team building," He said.