OPELOUSAS, La. (KLFY) -- The K-9 unit plays an important role in any police force. Opelousas Police Department's first female K-9 handler, Grace Hadley, and her dog Kobra spoke to News 10 after receiving the title.

"Women are taking over law enforcement. Women are stepping up to the call. And Ms. Hadley here has definitely stepped up," said Opelousas Police Chief Graig LeBlanc.

"It means a lot. I've only been on the road here for two years, so to have this opportunity has meant the world for me," said Hadley.

To earn that distinction of K-9 officer, Hadley and Kobra spent two weeks side-by-side going through a 160-hour training program.

"And the training is mainly concerning her bonding with the dog and them becoming a team." Chief LeBlanc said. "And that team is what's going to help to keep Opelousas safe."

However, what comes out of the training is so much more than a team, Hadley says it is an unbreakable bond as they are together 24/7 and have each other's backs through any situation.

"Having her sitting right behind me for 12 hours, you can't ask for anything better than that," said Hadley. "It does something to my heart when I step out the unit, get on any kind of call, and she starts rocking that thing and barking. It's a different kind of pride and safety feeling. It's inseparable."

Along with a history making officer and an inseparable bond, also comes credit to officer Kobra who makes her handler feel that sense of safety each day.

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