The Good Life – July-August 2018

A Sergeant’s
Best Friend
WRITTEN BY: MEGHAN FEIR • PHOTOS BY: URBAN TOAD MEDIA
For Sergeant Peter Nielsen of the West
Fargo Police Department and his K-9,
Disco, their friendship extends far
beyond work hours.
After serving as a police officer for over
20 years, Nielsen decided to become
a K-9 handler. He was paired with the
black, long-haired German shepherd from
Slovakia, and following five weeks of training in
Iowa, the new friends headed home together to West Fargo.
As his handler, dog daddy and best friend, Nielsen has
been with Disco through thick and thin. They’ve saved each
other’s lives and saved the lives of others in the process.
It’s been a great run for the pair, but later this summer, the
beloved dog will be retiring. Although he will be leaving his
position, he will continue being a vital part of the Nielsen
family.
“He’s done a lot for the department,” Nielsen said. “I tell
him he’s on his farewell tour. He’s at the vet today, and I was
thinking about how this is one of the last times they’ll see
him as a police dog. He’ll stay with me, but we’ll just cut out
the training and let him be a dog.”
Keeping Skills Sharp
Retirement will be completely foreign for Disco. For the
entirety of his life, he has participated in regular training, a
requirement for all police officers, as well. Ongoing drilling
is essential for them to stay physically and mentally fit.
“You have to be able to react well to a situation,” Nielsen
said. “If you’re put in a position at work when you’re doing
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