OP Police Seeking To Start Therapy Dog Program

Orland Park IL

21 July, 2021

12:44 PM

Description

By Jon DePaolis, Richard Free Press: ORLAND PARK, Ill. – The old adage goes that a dog is man's best friend. The Orland Park Police Department is hoping for that and more. Police Chief Joseph Mitchell asked for the Village of Orland Park Board of Trustees' support in starting a police dog therapy program Monday, July 19, during the Committee of the Whole meeting. He said the employees of the police department often see "some very nasty things" while on the job, with many officers interacting with deceased individuals during the course of a year. "We're an older community, and we deal with death investigations from suicides and standard deaths and response," Mitchell said. "But that's not the only thing we do. We respond to critical incidents from robberies to domestic abuse to child abuse and situations like that. We believe this therapy dog would be a great asset for the department." He said the department also has seen an increase in mental health calls. "When we respond to scenes, people are generally afraid of the police or don't like the police," Mitchell said. "Having a dog there, while we are conducting interviews, may help us reduce that anxiety and get more information." He also said it helps as police interact with children. "Having that dog available 24/7 for our dispatch and people on our midnight shift would pay dividends," Mitchell said. He also said studies have shown the dog therapy program can help officers by decreasing anxiety, reducing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, increasing undisturbed sleep, producing social interaction, and stimulating cognitive responses. "By having a dog available for our staff, we believe it will be beneficial to reduce stress during critical incidents," Mitchell said. He said the program the department would use is based in Florida and will provide a dog from a no-kill shelter. "The cost is free, with the exception of $100 for a therapy dog certification," Mitchell said. If approved, the police department has already received $5,000 in donations from both an Orland Park citizen and a local law enforcement agency. He said there is an opening in September for an Orland Park officer to head down to Florida to take the course, pick up the dog and head home. Trustee Michael Milani said he believes the program will be a "great service for our officers and for our residents." Trustee Brian Riordan added that he thought if the police department lets the community know about any costs associated with the dog or the program, there would be people willing to help out and donate. "I think it is a great idea," Riordan said of the program. Mayor Keith Pekau also voiced support for the program and joked that he might need to use it personally around election season. "I just want to know that every four years or so if I can come down there and see the therapy dog for a few months," he said, laughing. The board members voted 7-0 to forward on a recommendation to approve the program at a future meeting. Richard Free Press is a one-stop destination for the news that most affects you, the southwest suburban resident. Be an informed citizen of the town you live in and love.