Douglas County Adds Senior Resource Dog

Leo is a new senior resource dog at the Douglas County Sheriff's Office.

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IMAGE: Douglas County Sheriff's Office

Douglas County (Colorado) Sheriff’s Office has a new senior resource dog—believed to be the first in Colorado, according to a press release from the sheriff’s office.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office brought on Leo, a 3-month-old Mini Berne-doodle to help care for older adults in its jurisdiction, the report noted.

Deputy Ryan Falkner, the department’s dedicated senior resource deputy, is credited with the idea of having a puppy join him on visits with older residents. The department reports there are very few senior resource officers in the nation who focus on the older adult population, and none with a senior community K-9.

According to the press release, Leo will accompany Deputy Falker for presentations, community events, retirement community and senior center visits, and community policing efforts. The dog will also receive emotional support training to help bridge the gap between older adults and the senior resource deputy, the press release noted.

Sheriff Darren Weekly said, “As soon as we met Leo, we knew he would be an excellent fit for our community. Not only will he be a comforting presence for our senior residents, but also a testament to Deputy Ryan’s dedication to serving our aging population with empathy and understanding.”

The department connected with the Colorado Animal Care Foundation in Parker, Colorado, to find the dog they needed. The organization donated Leo to the department, according to the release.