Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety Therapy Dog topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Cottage Grove introduces Riggs, a public‑safety therapy dog trained by Soldier 6
Summary
At the March 19 meeting the council welcomed Riggs, the city's first public‑safety therapy dog; staff said Riggs will support case‑management calls, assist first responders and was funded by a Minnesota Department of Public Safety therapy‑dog grant.
Cottage Grove city leaders introduced Riggs, the city’s first public‑safety therapy dog, during the March 19 City Council meeting. Staff said Riggs will support the department’s case management work and provide emotional support to community members and first responders.
Sergeant Mike McCormick presented Riggs and said the dog has already participated in case‑management calls and “can go in and just be that voice or that calming presence for someone in crisis.” McCormick called Riggs “the newest member, of our department. First therapy dog, that we’ve had.” He said Riggs will accompany Detective Scott Schafer in the field and will not be deployed without Schafer present.
McCormick and others thanked Soldier 6, a nonprofit the city cited as the training provider, and noted the dog’s arrival was supported by a Minnesota Department of Public Safety grant for therapy dogs for law enforcement and fire personnel. McCormick said the dog has provided comfort to first responders as well as people in crisis and described Riggs as a “calming presence.”
Council members and attendees welcomed Riggs; the mayor said the dog will be a visible part of the department’s outreach and noted plans to showcase Riggs at an upcoming Minnesota Wild hockey game. Staff emphasized the dog’s role is supportive and that Riggs is part of a broader effort to strengthen mental‑health resources connected to public safety.
