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...
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