Suffolk County Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services took part in a successful “Meet the Paws: Coffee with a Cop” community event held yesterday afternoon at a Starbucks location in Selden, bringing together residents, first responders, and several of Suffolk County’s working and therapy dogs for an engaging and educational gathering.
The event offered community members an opportunity to meet Facility Dog Niko and Accelerant Detection K-9 Jimmy of Suffolk County Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services, along with their handlers. The dogs greeted residents, posed for photos, and helped demonstrate the important roles K-9 teams play in public safety, investigations, and community support.
They were joined by fellow K-9 partners from other county agencies, including Hamilton of the Suffolk County Police Department, Tillman of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, and Luna of the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office.
FRES Commissioner Rudy Sunderman praised the collaboration among the three county government entities, noting that joint efforts like “Meet the Paws” help strengthen public trust while educating residents about the services provided by each department. He said he looks forward to continued interdepartmental community outreach events across Suffolk County.
Throughout the afternoon, residents were encouraged to ask questions, learn more about department operations, and connect informally with the first responders and K-9 teams who serve the county every day, reinforcing the value of community-focused policing and emergency services.