Detection Dog Spotlight: Oscar Mejia and K9 Iris

As Program Manager for a high-profile client, Oscar oversees a uniquely scaled firearms and explosives detection program spanning nine critical sites across North America. He and Iris are part of a global network of more than 1,000 Allied Universal detection canine teams deployed to protect environments where people, assets, and infrastructure demand the highest level of security.  

A Mission-Ready Mindset

Oscar’s role blends frontline precision with behind-the-scenes leadership that suits his background well. In addition to working alongside three-year-old Iris, he manages performance, contract compliance, and evolving site protocols, acting as the primary liaison for both internal teams and the client. It’s a complex, high-stakes environment that demands both field acumen and business fluency—qualities Oscar brings through a strong foundation in military service and formal business education, including an MBA and bachelor’s degree in business.

“As a program manager, I’m developing system solutions and supporting processes that enable our dogs and handlers to succeed every day,” Oscar explains. “We never compromise on quality. The bar is always high because our clients expect excellence, and so do we.” 

A veteran of the U.S. Air Force and California Air National Guard, Oscar served as a weapons load crew member for the A-10 “Warthog,” supporting deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. The experience sharpened his leadership instincts and instilled a mission-first mindset grounded in discipline, readiness, and execution. Those same principles now shape his approach to canine operations—helping him lead with precision, purpose, and a commitment to quality on every front.

Iris: Athlete, Partner, Force Multiplier

She’s fast. She’s focused. And she’s one of the most capable detection dogs in the field. At just three years old, K9 Iris already demonstrates the discipline, endurance, and drive of a seasoned pro. “She’s built to work,” Oscar says. “You can see it in the way she moves. Her energy is purposeful. She knows exactly what she’s here to do.” 

Iris is dual certified as an Explosives Detection Canine (EDC) and Firearms Detection Canine (FDC)—a distinction that elevates her impact in the field. All Allied Universal FDC dogs begin with the same foundation: real-world training on actual explosive compounds. They imprint and train on all five families of military and commercial-grade explosives, as well as high-risk homemade threats like TATP and HMTD.

From there, dogs like Iris undergo additional imprinting to identify the unique chemical signatures associated with firearms. Whether the weapon has been discharged or is completely static, she is trained to alert with precision—and without disrupting the surrounding environment. This specialized skillset makes her ideally suited to complex, high-traffic settings where subtlety and accuracy are essential. But it’s not just training that drives results. It’s trust.

Oscar and Iris operate as a seamless unit, sweeping sprawling indoor and outdoor environments every day and logging countless steps. Their communication is nearly invisible, built on repetition, intuition, and mutual respect. “She’s incredibly responsive and we understand each other,” explains Oscar. “That kind of bond doesn’t happen overnight. You build it by showing up—together—every single day to do good work.”

Life Beyond the Leash

When the shift ends, Iris heads home with Oscar, where the pace slows and she shares her downtime with Oscar’s retired partner, Laka. 

“At work, Iris is nonstop. At home, she settles right into our more laid-back routine—at least for a while,” Oscar says. “She’ll nudge you for attention, stretch out for a nice nap, then be back on her feet, ready for a good game of tag. She definitely enjoys her downtime, but she doesn’t sit still for long.”

Oscar isn’t one to sit still either. A dedicated runner and marathoner, he loves being outdoors—and even when he is not training for a race, he often heads out for a quick jog with Iris trotting at his side and Laka cheering from the sidelines. “Laka used to run with me, but at nine years old, she’s earned the privilege of lazier days at home,” Oscar says. “Iris has taken the baton, and she never lets me skip a workout.”