MARSHFIELD, WI (OnFocus) – Marshfield Police Department recently announced the newest member of its team, Reggie, an 8-week-old Multigen Australian Labradoodle who will serve as the department’s first-ever therapy dog. This initiative, spearheaded by School Resource Officer Anthony Klein, marks a significant step forward in the department’s commitment to community well-being and support.
Reggie comes to Marshfield PD through a generous donation from Blueberry Cottage Labradoodles, a renowned breeder with a history of providing therapy dogs throughout the state. SRO Klein’s passion and dedication to enhancing community relations and fostering a positive environment within schools led to the realization of this groundbreaking program.
“This is my second full year as a SRO. I’m able to attend a bunch of trainings and conferences and in networking with other officers and departments, I saw that the implementation of therapy dogs is becoming very popular with much success,” said Klein, adding that in his research he didn’t come across any negatives.
Reggie will undergo extensive training, starting with obedience training at 4.5 months old, followed by certification through Therapy Dog International (TDI) at 1.5 years old. This certification ensures that Reggie meets the highest standards of behavior and temperament, providing reassurance to the community of his reliability and effectiveness in his role.
Klein said that Reggie’s primary goal will be to bring a smile to everyone’s face.
“That’s the main goal, to bring a positive environment and positive mood to the day,” he said, adding that not only will he bring joy and comfort to individuals during tough moments, but he will also serve as a tool for de-escalation and communication, particularly in sensitive situations involving victims in crisis.
In addition to his role within the police department, Reggie will accompany SRO Klein in schools, where he will help reduce stress and improve attendance among students. Interactions with therapy dogs have been shown to have numerous positive effects on mental well-being, making Reggie a welcomed addition to the school community.
Marshfield Police Department looks forward to the continued success of its therapy dog program and the positive influence Reggie will have on the community.
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Author: News Desk
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