APPLETON – Motivation and support can come in many forms, including a cold nose and a warm heart, as the Appleton Police Department welcomes a Canine Companions dog to their team.
Edison the IV, a 2-year-old black labrador retriever, will provide emotional support and well-being in the Appleton community.
He’s known as a facility dog, which is a type of therapy dog trained to work with a handler in a facility setting.
As an expertly trained facility dog, Edison will assist its handler, Sgt. Lori Duven, during her work as a Victim Services Officer, by utilizing some of the 40 commands that he knows.
Edison’s skills will be used to motivate and increase confidence with children, assist crime victims and other vulnerable populations served by Appleton police.
He will also support victims and witnesses during interviews and be present during some court procedures.
“We are so happy to have Edison join the Appleton Police Department Community Resource Unit,” said Lt. Meghan Cash in a news release. “He has a skill set beyond comfort and therapy, and is very different from our other working dogs. This makes him an excellent addition to our mission to serve with compassion.”
“Like every other member of the Appleton Police Department team, Edison is a highly trained professional with a love to serve others. We look forward to seeing the impact he will have and know he will make a difference here in Appleton,” Cash said.
Canine Companions breeds, raises and trains service dogs and facility dogs to use commands designed to help people with disabilities or to motivate and inspire clients in a professional environment.
The process to become a facility dog includes two years of daily, specialized training.
Sgt. Duven was matched with Edison, free of charge, after intensive training at Canine Companions North Central Training Center in Ohio.
When asked about how Edison will impact her work, Sgt. Duven said, “In the short time that Edison and I have been together I have already witnessed a glimpse of the impact he can have on our community. There is something very organic about the sense of calm and peace he introduces to a room, and I look forward to all the ways he and I will be able to continue to serve the city of Appleton.”
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