Meet Yonkers PD’s Newest K9s, 2 Facility Dogs Helping Bring Comfort to the Community
Yonkers Police Department Swears in Facility Dogs
The Yonkers Police Department took to social media to announce some new additions to their team.
According to the post the Yonkers Police Department "launched its new Facility Dog Program." They did so by swearing in their first 2 Facility Dogs K9 Nilsen and K9 Gator.
Facility Dogs are a little different than "traditional patrol or detection dogs."
The Yonkers Police Department explains that Facility Dogs "are specially trained to provide comfort and emotional support to victims of crime, children who have experienced trauma, officers and department personnel, and members of the community during times of crisis."
The Importance of Facility Dogs in New York State
After a "tragic incident" at a local school in the Yonkers area, before K9 Gator and K9 Nielsen, Facility Dogs from Tuckahoe, Greenburgh, Scarsdale and White plains were deployed to assist the Yonkers Police Department as they responded to the incident.
Yonkers PD explains that, at the time, the presence of the Facility Dogs "provided comfort and emotional support to students, staff, first responders, and others affected."
Police Commissioner Christopher Sapienza said in the statement:
"Facility Dogs represent another way we're strengthening the way we serve our community”
Commissioner Sapienza goes on to say “Nilsen and Gator will provide comfort to victims, support officer wellness, and help build stronger connections with the people we serve."
Read the full statement and check out the adorable photos of the Swearing In Ceremony below:
Puppies Behind Bars Program in Hudson Valley Prisons
According to the Yonkers Police Department, the Facility Dog Program was made possible through Puppies Behind Bars Program.
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They explain that Nilsen and Gator the Facility Dogs were "raised and trained at the Green Haven Correctional Facility in Stormville, New York."
The Yonkers Police Department adds:
The program not only produces exceptional service dogs, but also provides incarcerated participants with vocational skills, personal responsibility, and the opportunity to give back by serving communities across the country.
Recently, the NFL put the spotlight on the Puppies Behind Bars program and followed new puppies into Green Haven in Stormville as they begin their journey to become service dogs.
Take a look at the video below:
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