Working in law enforcement can be stressful, especially for police officers and 9-11 dispatchers who are on the job 24/7. The members of the Suffolk County Police Foundation know this all too well and have found a way to help support the mental health and well-being of department members.
Meet their new therapy dog, Hamilton, a specially trained canine that will be there for both sworn staffers—police officers, detectives, supervisors—and non-sworn members, including dispatchers, who play a crucial role in assisting law enforcement.
The loving black Labrador was trained by an inmate at the Fishkill Correctional Facility through the Puppies Behind Bars program, which prepares service and therapy dogs to assist first responders, veterans, and others in need. His police officer handler recently completed training and returned home with his new partner. Over the next 2-3 weeks, the pair will undergo additional training before Hamilton officially begins engaging with Suffolk police personnel.
To ensure Hamilton’s safety and comfort, the police foundation will outfit the vehicle used for his transportation, according to the its chairman, Louis Tutone. “The initiative reflects the strong commitment of the Suffolk County Police Foundation, County Executive Ed Romaine, and Police Commissioner Kevin K. Catalina to prioritize mental health support for first responders and their support staff,” Tutone noted.
Programs incorporating therapy dogs have been proven to be valuable strategies to enhance officer resilience, provide emotional support and contribute to overall mental wellness. They have found a home in law enforcement, such as in the Queens County district attorney’s office where Kiki, a two-year-old Labrador retriever mix, has been offering comfort and reducing anxiety for victims and witnesses of traumatic events. Her presence has assisted in various cases, particularly helping children open up.
The Police Foundation played a key role in bringing Hamilton to Suffolk at a cost of about nearly $20,000. Another project provided five TruNarc detectors to the police at $25,000 each. The hands-free devices enable officers to swiftly identify fentanyl and other drugs, a crucial tool given the lethal potency of these substances.
Those interested in becoming a donor or a foundation board member should contact Foundation Chairman Tutone at ltutone@suffolkcountypolicefoundation.org or visit: suffolkcountypolicefoundation.org.
Supporters of the foundation include:
* Michael VanDenburg President - Renu Contracting and Restoration
* Scott Colletti Principal - Milburn Flooring
* Dr. Marianne Cartisano
* Lisa Tuozzolo
* Dr. Jeffrey Vacirca CEO - New York Cancer & Blood Specialist
* Todd O'Connell President - New York Cancer & Blood Specialist
* Richard Donohue Managing Partner - McIntyre, Donohue, Accardi, Salmonson & Riordan, LLP
* Sean Riordan Partner - McIntyre, Donohue, Accardi, Salmonson & Riordan, LLP
* Michael N. Brown CEO - Fellow Health Partners
* Rory Bulovas President - Bulovas Restorations Inc.
* Richard Steinberg Chairman - Nationwide Mortgage Bankers
* Karlyn Grasso Secretary & Communications Officer - John C. Dunphy Private Foundation, Inc.
* Michael Dowling CEO - Northwell Health
* Scott M. Frayler President - Blue Line Wealth Management
* James Giorgio President - LPC, Inc
* F. Daniel Moloney Jr. President - Moloney Family Funeral Homes
* James Wojcik Principal - Park East Construction Corp.
* Craig Litt Vice President/Owner - Pico Manufacturing
* Eric Altmann