Police Community Oriented Support Dog Program

About the Program

Category: Criminal Justice and Public Safety (Best in Category)

Year: 2020

ABSTRACT OF THE PROGRAMDuring the summer of 2018, Miami-Dade Police Department’s Kendall District command staff determined the need to implement a Comfort Dog Program, as a community outreach dog, in order to strengthen the bond between police and the community, provide comfort during critical incidents or high conflict situations, and attend community events. The comfort dog would assist in bridging the gap between law enforcement and the community throughout Miami-Dade County. A decision was made to look at adoptable dogs at the Miami-Dade Animal Services Department (MDASD). Sparky, a three year old male American Bulldog mix first received as an injured stray by MDASD was noted to have a gentle temperament. He was selected for basic obedience training by the Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation’s (MDCR) Second Chance Program, where inmates train selected dogs in weekly obedience training sessions which lead to American Kennel Club (AKC) Canine Good Citizen Certification. Sparky was then eventually donated to the Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD) by MDASD for the Comfort Dog program. His training was continued in order to become a registered therapy dog. Sparky and his handler attend community outreach events at schools, hospitals, and nursing homes to promote a positive image of the Department. Additionally, he is used to provide comfort and emotional support as seen fit throughout the district and at the request of any MDPD entity.