K9 Cisco Joins Ashland Police
The 20-month-old yellow lab will serve as a facility service dog, helping support officer wellness, community outreach and sensitive interviews.
Cisco, a facility service dog donated by Dogs For Better Lives, will help support APD’s wellness program and provide a calming presence during community and sensitive interactions. Photo courtesy of Ashland Police Department.
ASHLAND, Ore. — The Ashland Police Department has a new member on the team, and he made things official with a raised paw and a paw print.
Cisco, a 20-month-old yellow lab, has joined the department as a facility service dog through a new program connected to APD’s wellness efforts. The dog was donated to the department by Dogs For Better Lives and is trained to help create a calming environment for officers, children, survivors and vulnerable individuals.
According to the department, Cisco’s role is not that of a traditional patrol K-9. Instead, he will support stress relief, peer support, community outreach and sensitive interactions where a calm, comforting presence may help.
Cisco is assigned to Detective Lindsey Rochon Evertt, a member of the department’s Peer Support Team and a major crimes detective. The department said Detective Rochon Evertt’s caseload includes sex crimes and crimes against children, and Cisco may be used during interviews to help comfort survivors as they share their stories.
The facility service dog program was developed as part of APD’s wellness program after one of the department’s Peer Support members worked to establish the program and connected with Dogs For Better Lives.
Cisco is also expected to become a familiar face in the community. APD said residents may see him at community events, visiting schools or taking walks near the police station during downtime.
The department thanked Dogs For Better Lives, Cisco’s trainers and the volunteers who help raise service dog puppies before they begin formal training.
Cisco was sworn in by Chief O’Meara Thursday morning, where he showed off his “wave” trick by raising his paw. His swearing-in paperwork was completed with a paw print.
Cover image: Cisco sits beside an Ashland Police Department vehicle after joining APD as its new facility service dog. Photo courtesy of Ashland Police Department.
