Making a ‘paws’itive impact: sheriff’s office gains therapy dog
Clark County Sheriff’s Office employees may glimpse the wag of a tail or hear the scampering of little feet around the corner with the office’s newest addition.
A Labradoodle puppy, Haven, recently joined the staff as a therapy dog. She will serve as a calming presence for law enforcement officers, victims of sensitive crimes and others. Deputy Maggie McDonald of the Corrections Division is serving as Haven’s handler and is working on training her.
Just having a dog around is “already impacting the staff in a positive way,” said Sheriff Scott Haines.
Haines got the idea of a therapy dog after having conversations with Kelly Bakken, Altoona police chief. The Altoona Police Department has a therapy dog named Donut, acquired from Blueberry Cottage Labradoodles in Osseo.
“They have had great success with the dog, not just with their staff but with the community as a whole,” said Haines.
Hearing how much of an asset Donut was prompted Haines to inquire about the sheriff’s office getting its own therapy dog. In August, he made contact with Heather Clark of Blueberry Cottage Labradoodles. Haines submitted an application for a dog and waited to hear back from Clark.
“Much to my surprise, Heather told me they would like to donate a puppy on behalf of their kennel,” said Haines. “I’m really thankful that they donated.”
Haven was born Oct. 3. She is expected to grow to about 16-20 inches tall, or knee height. Labradoodles are known for being friendly, playful, loyal and intelligent.
McDonald and Haven are taking classes through the BAXTER and Bella Online Puppy School.
“The training is extensive; everything is included and we have a membership that never expires,” said Haines.
After going through her training, Haven will have to take the Alliance of Therapy Dog Certification test to be certified as a therapy dog. The goal is to train Haven well enough that anyone in the agency can handle her.
Haven, whose name means “place of safety or refuge,” has a well-fitting name for her planned purpose. Haines sees Haven as one more way to promote staff wellbeing.
“Our main goal is law enforcement staff mental wellness. Every year, we lose law enforcement officers to suicide. Mental health and officer wellness is very near and dear to me as sheriff. As an example, this year, many of us lost a dear friend, Ron Cramer, to suicide. The Clark County Sheriff’s Office has a peer support team, we contract with Holly Hakes Wellness Solutions for wellness visits for all staff and now we have a therapy dog,” said Haines.
Haven will also likely be used in the school system for various programs or in time of need. She may be used to assist with interviews of victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, and to provide a sense of calm for those dealing with mental health issues. She may eventually work with individuals in Social Services and Community Services, wherever the needs are.
“Haven is here to help people feel safe and feel as comfortable as possible to share what is going on or what happened to them. Her purpose in my eyes is to help people escape from whatever is bothering them and to help them feel a slight relief from what is going on or bothering them. Haven is supposed to kind of be a ‘distraction’ from whatever is happening or happened to help ease people into talking about the situation or calm them down from what has happened,” McDonald explained.
Haines sent a letter to staff members back in August asking if anyone had interest in becoming a handler. McDonald wrote a letter of interest and was selected.
“I have always had this desire to have therapy animals. It started in high school when I looked into how to get certified for equine therapy… A lot of animals can be trained and certified to be a therapy animal to help with those who are struggling with mental illness, PTSD [posttraumatic stress disorder] and many other things. When I saw the email from the sheriff about getting a therapy dog, I jumped on the chance to help participate in any way [I could],” said McDonald.
Funds needed to take care of Haven will come from the sheriff’s office K9 fund, 90 percent of which consists of community donations. Haines said the sheriff’s office was “blessed” to have such great community support.
Editor Valorie Brecht contributed to this report.
