LENOIR CITY, Tenn. (WVLT)- The Loudon County Sheriff's Department welcomed a new member of their team. K9 Kora and her handler, Deputy Chance Gray, are the newest additions to LCSO's K9 Unit.

Kora is spending the next several weeks getting settled in her new surroundings. She completed her basic training in Florida where she was trained on criminal apprehension and human tracking.

We’ve already begun establishing a bond” said Gray. “Although she’s not available for deployment until after our handlers school, she is going to work with me, getting used to the patrol car, learning that I am going to be her best friend and her beat partner”. Gray said as a part of the bonding time, he feeds her by hand and is the only person to take care of her every need.

Gray joined the Sheriff’s Office in 2014 as a Correctional Officer before being promoted to the Patrol Division in 2017. He is a 2017 graduate of the Blount County Sheriff’s Regional Law Enforcement Training Academy and a 2011 graduate of Lenoir City High School. Chance and his wife, and new K9 Mom, Chelsey, have been busy preparing their home for their new addition. “She (Kora) seems to be adjusting well to her new home... we are excited to open our lives up to care for her. She’s going to watch over me soon and she’s going to save lives and protect this community just like I signed up to do” Gray said.