Smudge, a black Labradoodle puppy, is joining the Oneida Police Department force as a therapy K9. (Photo courtesy: OPD)
ONEIDA, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The newest member of the Oneida Police Department has been introduced, but this officer has a wet nose and four paws.
Smudge, a black Labradoodle puppy, is joining the force as a therapy K9. School resource officer Eddie Metoxen is his handler, meaning Smudge will spend much of his time at the Oneida Nation High School and Turtle School.
K9 Smudge will be used to supplement police services by providing therapeutic aid on calls for services where additional support is needed, building positive relationships between us and our community by attending community events and provide additional support to our officers and dispatchers who so often are exposed to traumatic and stressful situations.
OPD said they chose the name Smudge “to reflect the importance of the Oneida culture to us and the notion of cleansing a space or person from negativity.”
He was donated to OPD by Blueberry Cottage Labradoodles, an organization which has provided therapy dogs to numerous agencies statewide.
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