Title
Therapy Dog Program Continuation
History
At the August 2, 2021, Village Board Meeting, the Village Board established an Orland Park Police Department Therapy Dog Program to enhance community engagement and provide emotional support services. As part of this initiative, Rich Miller, a non-sworn member of the department, was selected as the handler for Leo, the department’s therapy dog. Since the establishment of the Program, Therapy Dog Leo and his handler Rich Miller have attended specialized dog therapy training and have provided valuable service to residents and staff.
On August 30, 2024, Rich Miller resigned his civilian position with the Orland Park Police Department to take a full-time sworn position with a neighboring police department. At the time, Rich Miller indicated that he would remain as a part-time police officer with the Orland Park Police Department, in addition to his new full-time position in the neighboring police department. Because of other commitments, Rich Miller resigned his part-time Orland Park Police Officer position at the end of June 2025. As is customary, in order not to separate the dog from its handler, the Village formally sold Leo to Rich Miller on June 20, 2025, for $1. We wish Leo and Rich Miller all the best and thank them for their service.
Continuation of the Therapy Dog Program
The men and women of the Orland Park Police Department are its greatest asset. Sworn officers and tele-communicators are oftentimes on the front lines of critical incidents and witness situations that result in a high degree of stress and anxiety following traumatic events. Additionally, victims, in particular children, are highly susceptible to depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder resulting from abuse or neglect. Recent studies, (Lass-Hennemann, J., Schafer, S. K., Romer, S., Holz, E., Streb, M., & Michael T. (2018). Therapy dogs as a crisis intervention after traumatic events? and Kimioka, H., Okada, S., Tsutani, K., Hyuntae, P., Okuizumi, H., Handa, S., Oshio, T., Park, S., Kitayuguchi, J., Abe, T., Honda, T., & Mutoh, Y. (2014). Effectiveness of animal assisted therapy: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials), have shown Animal-Assisted Interventions were able reduce stress and anxiety following critical incidents.
Based on empirical evidence and the aforementioned recent studies, the Police Department is seeking the continuation of the therapy dog program in order to assist employees and victims after a critical/traumatic event. The therapy dog would continue to be available for community and school events.
The Cook County Sheriff’s Office Tails of Redemption Program has a therapy dog training program whereupon a selected member of the Orland Park Police Department will be trained with an adopted therapy dog. In 2018, Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart launched Tails of Redemption Program uniting dogs, individuals in custody, and members of the community in a journey of rehabilitation and hope. Inmates not only learn to train dogs in basic obedience, and preparing the animals for adoption, but they also acquire essential life skills such as patience, compassion, and problem-solving, thus enhancing their job readiness upon release.
The Tails of Redemption Program currently works with 3 local shelters. The program began with a partnership with Chicago Animal Care and Control. In 2021, Cicero Waggin’ Tails and South Suburban Humane Society joined the Tails of Redemption Program.
The selected therapy dog will receive basic obedience training from county sentenced inmates and advanced training is performed with a K9 specialist. An assigned sworn member of the Orland Park Police Department will enroll in a training program with the Cook County Sheriff's Office. Once the handler and dog are successfully certified through the training program, both will begin work in Orland Park.
Financial Impact
The cost associated with the implementation of the program is the salary of the attendee, travel, lodging and food expenses, coupled with the care and feeding of the adopted therapy dog.
Recommended Action/Motion
I move to continue the Orland Park Police Department's Therapy Dog Program.