Parma Heights swears in Donovan Flynn; council proclaims National Service Dog Month

Mayor Gallo administered the swearing‑in of Donovan Flynn during the Sept. 22 Parma Heights City Council meeting. Chief Greene introduced Flynn, noting he was hired by Parma Heights in 2019 after service with Fairview Park and Cleveland‑area departments, graduated from the Cleveland Heights Police Academy in 2013, holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Miami University of Ohio, has served as an evidence technician, completed instructor training including de‑escalation and Field Training Officer (FTO) programs, and earned OVI Top Cops recognition for arrests from 2020 through 2023. Sergeant/Officer Flynn introduced his family and photos were taken to mark the occasion.

Later in the meeting Mayor Gallo presented a proclamation at the request of Christina (Chrissy) Aitken recognizing National Service Dog Month. Aitken described her service dog, Huey: "Huey is specifically trained as her service dog and able to complete over 40 commands. If I drop something he will pick it up for me. He can pull the laundry basket and put it in the washer and dryer." She emphasized a distinction between service dogs and emotional‑support animals, saying emotional‑support animals "don't have public access rights. They are only protected under the Fair Housing Act." Aitken also noted some service‑dog wait lists exceed two years and that certain trained dogs can cost more than $50,000.

The swearing‑in and proclamation were included in the mayor's reports and memorialized with photographs during the meeting.