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Ripon council approves police therapy K‑9 program with $10,000 donation
Summary
Council authorized a Ripon Police Department therapy dog program and accepted a $10,000 donation from the First We Live Foundation to cover initial purchase and first‑year costs; council discussed breed choice, training and ongoing costs.
The Ripon Common Council voted to authorize a Police Department therapy K‑9 program and accept a $10,000 donation from the First We Live Foundation to support startup and first‑year expenses.
A police department representative described the likely selection of a goldendoodle and said the purchase cost would be roughly $1,500–$2,000 with first‑year care and training raising the estimated first‑year total into the low‑thousands. Councilors asked whether the donation would cover initial and recurring costs; staff indicated the donation would help with initial purchase, kennel, certification and first‑year vet care and grooming, and that future costs would likely be funded through donations or budget requests if needed.
Councilors emphasized program oversight and evaluation: a councilor noted the policy requires an annual evaluation by a Ripon Area School District representative and said the council could expect program reporting as part of the police department’s annual review.
Several council members and community speakers praised the donation and the program’s potential benefits in schools and community settings. The motion to authorize the program and accept the donation passed on a voice vote.
No dissenting votes were recorded in the transcript. Staff said training and certification standards would be maintained and that the city is coordinating with a kennel that already provides therapy dogs to nearby school districts as part of the program plan.
