Police Officers Take Shelter Dogs On Rides Around Town To Increase Their Chances Of Adoption

Apr 25, 2019 by apost team

When we see stories about shelter dogs, anyone with a heart tears up. We hear stories about senior dogs being abandoned at shelters because their owners got new pets or had a baby. We hear stories about pooches so loving that when they are surrendered, they become saddened and frightened because they don't even realize what has happened.

One police department wanted not only new ways to interact with the local community, but to help a different kind of community as well.

The La Vista, Nebraska teamed up with the Nebraska Humane Society to create K9 For A Day, a program that allows officers to take shelter dogs to accompany them on their rounds. Mickey, a bully breed, was the first shelter dog to accompany the LVPD on a patrol round.

The black and white terrier accompanied Officer Jeanette throughout the town of 15,000 people, bringing smiles wherever they went. The pair ran their regular patrols and visited local businesses. Photos shared throughout the media showed the proud pup happily mingling with adults and children alike.

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Police Captain Brian Waugh was excited about the pilot program and noted that the efforts were good not only for the officers and dogs but to help foster community relations.

The LVPD and the Nebraska Humane Society both feature pages about the K9 For A Day program. The pages talk about how the program works, which days the canines will be going on their ride and information about the shelter dog that will accompany officers.

"We love this partnership," Pam Wiese, who is a spokesperson for the Nebraska Humane Society, told the Dodo, "The dogs are more relaxed, and they are able to showcase their personalities as they interact in a more normal, natural way."

What a great idea to help both people and man's best friend at the same time! Does your local police department have a program like this? Let us know in the comments and make sure to pass this along to your friends and family!