Pima County Sheriff’s Department School Resource Officers and therapy canines ready to help students in need
TUCSON AZ Aug 14 2020 There is a lot of uncertainty going into this 2020 school year with many starting the semester at home.
Some at-risk students need to be in class. And on Monday, things will look a whole lot different.
That is why Pima County Sheriff’s Department School Resource Officers are looking to their therapy dogs to help those in need.
K9 Deputy Echo and Deputy Nova are school resource officer therapy canines with PCSD. Both dogs were certified back in July.
Their mission to help kids in need.
“Honestly, I have a bunch of kids,” PCSD Deputy Brittani Caudillo said. “They’re my troubled kids that are having a difficult time at home or having a difficult time at school and he really just relaxes them.”
Both Labrador retrievers are unique in their own way.
“Very, very good-natured dog,” PCSD Deputy Lynsey Cole said. “Not a typical Lab. She does not care to play fetch, she is kind of lazy.”
“I get to have him with me every day,” Caudillo said. “I get to watch the impact that he has on not only kids but (also the) staff.”
The pups are even lending a paw to those with special needs
“Echo just came up and rested his head on the boy’s leg and all of a sudden the boy started petting his head,” Caudillo said. “Then he was starting to calm down and then, he was really receptive to the people that were trying to help him.”
While their return to school is still uncertain, their handlers say they’re ready whenever needed.
“I know some schools are opening on a very limited basis,” Cole said. “So we’re still available right now when schools call us.”
PCSD has five total therapy canines, which also includes K9 deputies Leo, Luke and Leia.
Leo helps in crisis situations in the field, while Luke and Leia help out at the jail.
KVOA
