CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. — The Cheektowaga Police Department has a new fuzzy recruit. A four-month-old mixed-breed rescue from the Erie County SPCA is a therapy dog and newest member of the CPD.
Assembly member Wallace announced on Wednesday that she secured $50,000 in state funding to get the departments first therapy dog and improve the officer wellness program.
Cheektowaga is one a many police departments that have started using therapy dogs to "raise the spirits of law enforcement personnel, improve the well-being of students at local schools, and help crime victims cope with traumatic experiences."
“The Cheektowaga Police Department is invested in the wellness of our community and of our officers,” said Cheektowaga Police Department Chief Brian Coons. “With the assistance of funding provided by Assemblymember Wallace, Cheektowaga Police Department is excited to launch the new therapy dog program and provide annual wellness checks to every officer and dispatcher in the department to lessen the effects of trauma and stress. This funding allows our department to implement programs designed around the four pillars of wellness: physical, mental, family, and work-related wellness.”
The new dog, Davey, is named after CPD officer David Tolsma who died in the line of duty back in 1977.
Davey will be working with Officer Jacob Gawronski to pass his therapy certifications and will visit students in schools, help with crime victims, officers, dispatchers, community staff, and anyone who is faced with stress on the job.
Research has shown that therapy dogs can reduce blood pressure, heart rate, and stress levels.
“Law enforcement is a noble career but also one that is often dangerous, stressful, and traumatizing. That’s why we need to ensure law enforcement have access to both mental health professionals and resources like therapy dogs to improve their mental well-being,” said Assemblymember Wallace. “Davey is just adorable, a cute and well-behaved puppy who immediately fills a room with joy. I’m glad I was able to secure funding so that CPD officers, local students, and crime victims can receive comfort from Davey on their worst days.”
