Council accepts donation of two therapy dogs for Parma police; officers report positive community use
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Summary
Ordinance 123‑25, authorizing the acceptance of two donated therapy canines and their training for use by the Parma Police Department, passed a third reading. Officers and staff described the dogs' roles providing comfort at community events and to victims.
The Parma public safety committee approved a third reading of Ordinance 123‑25 to accept the donation of two named therapy canines, Roscoe and Remy, and their training from RSS LLC for the benefit of the Parma Police Department.
The committee voted by voice to advance the ordinance. Council members and staff introduced the dogs at the meeting and described their early work with residents.
Officer Burkhart said the dogs had produced "a lot of positive feedback," noting community appearances: "He got to visit some kids on Dentler today having a lemonade stand. He kinda made their day." The officer also described the animals' roles at events and in the department’s outreach and support work.
A department speaker described Remy’s work with trauma victims and recent family members impacted by a homicide, saying Remy "got to love on them a little bit," and stressed the animals have been useful as emotional‑support and comfort tools.
Deputy chief and department leadership thanked council, Mayor DeGeeter and director Kory for supporting the program and described the dogs as additional tools for responding to traumatic incidents.
Discussion vs. decision: the committee approved the ordinance (third reading); the donation and training acceptance was authorized at the meeting. Committee members praised the program; no opposition was recorded in the meeting transcript.
Next steps: the department will continue community appearances and integrate the dogs into victim‑assistance and outreach activities as described by officers.