PHOTO: Courtesy of WLUK
DOOR COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) — Efforts are ramping up to bring the first therapy dog to the Door County Sheriff’s Office.
Therapy dogs are specifically trained to provide comfort and companionship to individuals in crisis settings.
“We could mobilize a dog to a situation where we have victims in need of support,” said Chief Deputy Patrick McCarty. “An example could be if we had a child who needed to testify in court; the dog could assist in putting that child at ease.”
The funds needed for a therapy dog are being raised through the Door County Sheriff’s Office Crime Prevention Foundation; which means funds for the dog would not come from taxpayer dollars.
Chief Deputy McCarty says there is not a particular financial ‘goal’ they’re trying to reach, but that donations will be needed continuously to help cover costs for food, vet bills, training, and more.
The sheriff’s office is currently looking at the possibility of bringing in a labradoodle.
“We’re excited about this,” said Chief Deputy McCarty. “It’s another tool that law enforcement has available and quite frankly, we’re behind. A lot of other agencies already have a therapy dog. So this will be a welcome addition.”
To learn more about the sheriff office’s efforts towards getting a therapy dog, and to make a donation, click here.
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