Dunn County human services highlights facility dog Esprit and separates clinic finances

Stacy Plummer, an outpatient therapist with Dunn County Health and Human Services, introduced Esprit, a facility dog placed with her in May 2022 by Helping Paws. "She is Esprit, and she is a golden retriever, 5 and a half years old, that was placed with me back in May '22," Plummer said, describing how Esprit works in therapy sessions, at the courthouse and at community events.

Plummer said Esprit attended roughly 530 sessions with Plummer’s clients in 2024 and described instances in which the dog sped emotional regulation and engagement. "She can do in 3 minutes what it probably takes us humans 30 minutes to do," Plummer said. Board members and staff praised the dog’s effect on clients and on staff morale.

Wendy, the licensed behavioral-health manager, told the board the county will separate the outpatient clinic’s revenue and expense reporting from the rest of behavioral health beginning with 2026 data so the clinic’s financial picture is clearer. For 2024, staff reported nearly $600,000 in clinic revenue. The county recorded about 836 psychiatry appointments, nearly 2,000 therapy appointments and roughly 300 nursing visits in 2024 — a total of 3,106 appointments and nearly 500 unique clients served, Wendy said.

Staff described how the facility dog and clinic services are used across teams — including family treatment court appearances and community events — and said the separation of clinic budget lines will help managers and the board track costs and revenue more precisely. Board members asked about referral timelines and access; staff said a referral triggers fiscal contact within a business week and therapists aim to initiate client contact within seven days, with psychiatry typically scheduled within two to four weeks.

The board received the presentation without formal action and thanked staff for the update. The department said it will return next year with separated clinic expense figures.