I imagine a litany of askance looks are happening, what with all the waffling going on among Anti-Police leaders’ defund-to-refund the police embarrassment. Definitely deserving of the I told ya so brigade resounding the mantra over such a boneheaded maneuver, one which needlessly cost lives.
While certain Anti-Police leaders lorded over (read: discounted and condemned) public safety and unabashedly allowed the dregs of society a seat at the buffet spread of unbridled criminal behavior, America’s cops continuously tried to stem the tide of anarchy. Among these brave and courageous cops are canines outfitted for varying functions among law enforcement service provisions.
Whether one is a dog lover or not, it suffices that we all recognize canine capabilities and how their supersensory mechanisms serve the public and police personnel, both demographics understandably mind-boggled by what has been permitted to fester in largely liberal enclaves.
Although the distinction can be made that humans comprehend political dynamics whereas canines do not, both species nonetheless carry on the good fight, despite casualties to both demographics.
Increased stressors permeate America. Contrastingly, between a pandemic rendering inert the nation’s commerce and anti-police radicals running amok…the populace was/is unimaginably stunned and mortified. The lying mainstream media plied their trade by pouring rocket fuel on matters, boosting their egos and profits, especially after chronically distorting/omitting facts and condemning cops for performing one of the most difficult jobs on the planet.
With that picture in mind, I observed an abundance of canine inclusions in terms of therapy dogs pseudo-counseling cops in snippet moments among tension-filled law enforcement officers coming in for a pit stop after a series of life-threatening encounters. Moreover, the spontaneous pet therapy moments parlayed the implementation of dogs in service not only to cops but also members of the public who, understandably, are beyond frazzled by victimization, especially those in liberal-run cities being permitted to deteriorate into war zones.
The Columbus, Ohio police department launched their Police Therapy Dog Unit to “interact with victims and witnesses of crime, children with special needs, engage with youth in the community, and a host of other opportunities and benefits which they will be able to provide.”
If anyone is aware of any elected official who had enough foresight, courtesy, and consideration toward such a marvelous program, please let me know. I suspect there are none from a certain political party… since that would disrupt their anti-cop campaign and thus weaken their power-crazed leverage. At least dogs know better.
Heck, even inmates relatively unfazed by the bizarre world outside prison systems were touched by canines and constructive relationships benefitting all parties, and then some.
The Lee County Domestic Animal Services partnered with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office whereby canines in the dog shelter were used at county jails, facilitating dog obedience training by inmates. After a 10-week instructional phase called the Cell Program, upon successful completion of dog obedience coursework leading to graduation, these canines are then promoted as trained adoptable animals.
As an animal enthusiast who has a special place for dogs, I know first-hand how police canines comfort cops in operational ways as well as in personal measures. My department’s canine corps of cops were notably happy despite the wicked crime scenes to which we responded/mitigated and the pretty nasty suspects we arrested. Many bad actors harbor desires to physically fight cops; not so much when police dogs are also on scene.
As NPA spokesperson Sgt. Betsy Branter-Smith (retired) analyzed with United States Police Canine Association (USPCA) Executive Director Don Slavik (also a retired police officer), police dogs are owed significant indebtedness for working with cops on behalf of the American public and our crime-fighting mission, among other dividends:
In that brief video interview, the cost factor of police agencies equipping their staff with highly trained and sensory-skilled canines remains one of the best expenditures any cop shop can commit to. As was discussed, some police departments search out grants to apply toward obtaining/maintaining a canine. Some organize fundraisers. Other police entities receive fortune when a philanthropic organization steps forward with funds necessary to acquire a police dog or two, often including training expenses and equipment such as a custom-made ballistic vest for the dogs.
The special ingredient of having police canines on the force is undeniable; whether a bloodhound trained in recovering missing persons, proverbial fur rockets deployed to pursue fleeing fugitives, cadaver dogs unearthing human remains, drug detection dogs sniffing out illegal narcotics, therapy dogs calming crime fighters and police support staff, or mascots employed for public relations…the work these keen animals do so diligently is nothing shy of admirable and honorable. And our nation’s cops are well aware of the two-way-street phenom between canines and humans, both reciprocating to the betterment of the other…which makes for ideal crime-fighting success on behalf of citizens.
Many police agencies have begun to add therapy dogs to the ranks. Chronically stressed public safety dispatchers swamped by incessant 9-1-1 calls during a 24/7/365 operation welcome canines to the mix, helping settle nerves and minds fraught with humanity’s depravities. (I’ve been in that proverbial “hot seat” before I attended the police academy, working midnight shift as a police communications officer. Although we had a K9 unit working the streets, we didn’t have the benefit of therapy dogs back then.)
Since writing about it recently, I have been chronicling an increasing number of law enforcement agencies either purchasing therapy dogs or adopting (rescuing) strays at the animal shelter or those found by patrol officers on the street beat.
The good-hearted people behind those metal badges are ideally resourceful —a cop requisite— and even assume care and sustenance for abused animals saved via the course of duty.
One such case still garnering attention is that of Deputy “Chance” with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office (depicted in our feature photo above). Here is a snippet of how deputies rescued Chance via an animal abuse investigation, ultimately kindling an official service role at the sheriff’s office:
“Chance was a victim of animal abuse in Lee County, Florida. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office investigated the animal cruelty case and used forensics evidence to identify a suspect and subsequently get a conviction. Chance was adopted by Lieutenant Castellon and deputized by Sheriff Carmine Marceno.
“Deputy Chance is the spokes-dog for the Public Affairs Unit at the Sheriff’s Office. Deputy Chance was also titled as the Good Will Ambassador by County Commissioners. He regularly visits schools, children’s hospitals, and community events. He promotes goodwill and has become an advocate against animal cruelty and helps promote adoption of shelter pets. Deputy Chance is the face of the Deputy Dogs Pets on Patrol program in Lee County, Florida.”
So, what does it look like for Deputy Chance at the Lee County cop shop? Moreover, how does a therapy dog help mitigate police stress (politicians needs not apply)? The following image conveys at least a thousand words to answer the question:
(Photo courtesy of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.)
That is Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno who, in only one of many such images, is clearly adopted by the dog his agency and deputies adopted from a sinister situation and deplorable conditions.
A second chance at life for Deputy Chance? Indeed, the imagery tells a poignant story of a police dog serving and soothing LEOs as they navigate a society rife with some hate-filled individuals similar to the one from whom Chance was salvaged.
Candidly, it amazes me how politicos can sully their roles and botch the communities they swore to lead by bastardizing law and order principles and betraying cops…while canines of all varying breeds meekly step forward to alleviate burdens from the ongoing mayhem sown by certain party officials.
Relatedly, I once wrote about a small town in the Miami, Florida area, and its police force adopting a stray Siberian Husky which walked up to the front door of police HQ—it loitered. The police chief at that time took in the dog and exhausted all efforts to locate the rightful owner. In short, no one claimed the Husky.
The chief petitioned the town council to consider swearing in the dog as a therapy component for its cops as well as an ambassador of public relations efforts; it was approved. A swearing-in ceremony ensued, the dog was bestowed a badge and police-insignia vest.
The chief worked tirelessly to train the canine, and the community just went ga-ga over “Arctic” the police dog. Then local media heard word that the town’s mayor harbored ill feelings for the chief, making her “get rid” of Artic the police dog. The townspeople were mortified, especially children who grew accustomed to Artic showing up at school functions, town events, and holiday parades.
The Miami Herald caught a whiff of the political winds and published an article titled, “Small town fires dog, collateral damage in political feud,” and that’s an unfortunate matter which underscores our topic today. VotersOpinion.com published an op-ed explaining the elements in which a beloved police dog trained for community outreach lost his job, no fault of his own.
I guess this is where we repeat the cold, hard facts about liberal leaders being voted in, somehow re-elected, continuing to ruin communities: You get what you vote for.
And the preceding factor deserves no better segue than concentrating on our topic today: police canines offer us more, so much more…and you can vote on that principle too. You see, Deputy Chance recently garnered accolades and titles as an ambassador and iconic advocate on behalf of abused/salvaged dogs.
He’s fostered a legacy of love in his community.
Now, he is up for a nomination upon which you can vote via the American Humane Hero Dog Awards platform.
Per Sheriff Marceno, “Deputy Chance has officially been selected as the 2021 American Humane Hero Dog in the Shelter Dog Category, he is in the running to win it all! Help him become the official Hero Dog by voting until September 7, 2021.”
Don’t know about you…but I’ll take loving, loyal paws over crazed pols any day. When it comes to discussions of higher intelligence, dogs do dominate in certain areas, encompassing a gambit of goodwill. Wish it were the same for liberal figureheads.
Dogs do wonders for denigrated cops trying to right wrongs in a society wracked by reckless decisions of liberal politicians whose communities are overrun with violence and victimization of innocents. My money is on the canines…