Rafferty is a two-year-old Labrador that will serve the agency as a comfort dog
The Battle Ground Police Department recently introduced its newest member, Rafferty. Rafferty is a two-year-old Labrador that will serve the agency as a comfort dog.
Comfort dogs are different from police K9 units, which are deployed alongside officers to help apprehend suspects and assist in missing persons and narcotic investigations. Comfort dogs, on the other hand, are trained specifically to stay calm and help others be calm as well. A comfort dog program provides police officers with another option to increase positive interactions during investigations involving children or adults to reduce anxiety, break down emotional barriers and increase communication, when providing aid to people who have been impacted by violence, tragedy or traumatic events.
Rafferty will initially serve as a member of the department’s Peer Support Team which promotes the overall wellness and resilience of our first responders. In addition to assisting agency staff, Rafferty will help with the care of crime victims and witnesses during times of crisis.
The Battle Ground Police Department is extremely excited and thankful to launch the comfort dog program which was made possible through a generous donation from Guide Dogs for the Blind. Originally trained as a guide dog, Rafferty’s new role with the police department will be somewhat of a career change for him. Nancy Denier, the Master Trainer and Dog Placement Coordinator, helped transition Rafferty to his new handler, Lt. Jason Perdue, on Aug. 27.
“We know Rafferty will provide a great deal of support, both inside the police department and to the public we serve,” said Chief Dennis Flynn. “We are incredibly grateful to Guide Dogs for the Blind and to Nancy for their support, helping us bring this valuable resource to Battle Ground.”
In addition to improving mental health resources for community members and officers, Rafferty is sure to be a big part of the police department’s community engagement program, fostering positive relationships and building trust with those we serve.
Information provided by the city of Battle Ground.
Also read:
- High school football: Micah Robison’s commitment shines at Skyview
Micah Robison shines in Skyview’s incredible comeback victory, where the Storm rallied from a 17-point deficit to beat Graham Kapowsin 21-17. Robison reflects on the family atmosphere within the team and the support he gets from his family at home. - Disturbance with a weapon leads to Camas council member’s arrest and recovery of firearm
Camas City Council member John Vincent Svilarich was arrested for Reckless Endangerment and Aiming/Discharging a Firearm after an altercation on the Washougal River Greenway Trail. - Vancouver woman earns gold medal at the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation World ChampionshipJennifer Cooper of Vancouver won a gold medal at the IBJJF World Championship, showcasing her exceptional jiu-jitsu techniques and representing her home gym, Emerge Jiu Jitsu.
- Opinion: Is government greed fueling the drive to defeat citizen-led ballot initiatives?Paul Guppy of the Washington Policy Center discusses how government greed may be fueling opposition to citizen-led ballot initiatives aimed at reducing new taxes in Washington state.
- Opinion: WA Cares commission weighs in on how future recipients will be allowed to spend moneyElizabeth New (Hovde) from the Washington Policy Center discusses the ongoing challenges with WA Cares, highlighting solvency concerns and the impact of Initiative 2124 on the program’s future.
- Second installment 2024 property tax payments due Oct. 31Clark County Treasurer Alishia Topper reminds residents that the second installment of 2024 property taxes is due by Oct. 31, with tax statements being mailed the week of Sept. 16.
- Construction of new picnic shelter at Klineline Pond resumesConstruction of the new picnic shelter at Klineline Pond has resumed after being paused due to bald eagle nesting, with completion expected by November.
