Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Greendale Police propose first-responder facility dog; local funeral home pledges sponsorship
Summary
Greendale Police presented a proposal for a first-responder facility dog trained by Partners with Paws; Partners with Paws offered a donated dog, and Heritage Funeral Homes pledged up to $10,000 per year to cover care; trustees asked about allergies, handler duties and contingency funding.
Greendale Police presented a proposal on May 6 to add a first-responder facility dog to the department. Ryan Rosenau of the Greendale Police Department and Officer Heather Bull described how a facility dog would provide emotional support to officers, assist during traumatic incidents and serve in community engagements, including school visits.
Rosenau said the local nonprofit Partners with Paws has offered to donate a 3-year-old English lab named Tiggy ("TIG"), and Paul Johnson, owner and CEO of Heritage Funeral Homes, "has graciously offered to cover up to $10,000 a year for all the care related expenses including food, vet bills, grooming, and any other needs." Rosenau and Officer Bull said the Greendale canine unit will cover the insurance costs and that the department would evaluate ongoing sustainability.
Trustees asked whether staff had been consulted, whether allergies or other issues exist among personnel, who would be the handler, and what contingency funding would cover a large veterinary bill. Officer Bull said the department had not rolled the program out yet but was not aware of staff allergies; the facility dog would live with an assigned officer and come into the facility during that officer's shift. On cost, Rosenau said the K-9 unit raises donations and Heritage indicated willingness to discuss additional support if expenses exceeded initial sponsorship.
Trustees broadly expressed support and asked staff to return with follow-up details; presenters said they will monitor program outcomes and re-evaluate as needed.
Why it matters: The program is intended to support officer wellness and community engagement; sponsorship reduces immediate budgetary impact but long-term sustainability and policy details (deployment rules, handler responsibilities, allergy and accommodation plans) will need formalization.
Next steps: Staff to continue coordination with Partners with Paws, Heritage Funeral Homes and the K-9 unit and return with implementation details.
