Washoe County K9 Partners called this year’s Barks and Badges a success after the annual event moved to a new venue and welcomed Reno Police Department K9 teams for the first time.

The free, family-friendly event ran Sunday, August 2, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Rancho San Rafael Park in Reno.

The nonprofit thanked volunteers, K9 unit donors, and the sheriff’s office handlers and dogs who took part, according to KOLO 8 News Now.

Organizers also credited Washoe County K9 Partners, Lithia Reno Subaru, first responders, community organizations, and vendors for helping pull off the event.

This year marked the first time Reno Police Department K9 teams joined the longtime Washoe County Sheriff’s Office canine units at the event.

Reno Police brought five canine units plus a companion dog named Winter, expanding the roster of working dogs on hand for demonstrations and meet and greets.

The event also relocated from its previous home at Bartley Ranch to Rancho San Rafael Park to accommodate its growing crowds.

We covered the venue change and Reno Police K9 debut ahead of the event, which also featured the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office mounted unit, SWAT team, bomb squad, and RAVEN helicopter.

Attendees got a rare chance to pet the working dogs on hand, something handlers say is usually off limits while the teams are on duty.

Merchandise sales, including mugs and T-shirts featuring the names and paw prints of local K9s, went toward funding training, equipment, and safety gear for the dogs.

Personal pets were not allowed at the event. Organizers instead asked attendees to bring a can of dog food to donate to nonprofits in need.