2022 Budget in Brief

LEO THE THERAPY DOG The Orland Park Police Department welcomed the newest four-legged friend to its team in 2021 - Leo the therapy dog. The department adopted the therapy dog to provide comfort and reduce the anxiety of victims of crime. and help reduce anxiety of trauma victims, including officers who witness distressing situations every day.

This includes mental health related emergencies, where a therapy dog is helpful in relieving anxiety. In 2021, the Police Department responded to 29% more mental health related calls than in 2020. Having a therapy dog present while responding to these calls has helped drastically deescalate the situation. Leo has also been utilized to provide comfort to victims of abuse, students and staff after a tragic death, a hospice patient and most recently he attended the wake of Sergeant Marlene Rittmanic of the Bradley Police Department who was violently killed during a routine call for service. The Therapy Dog Program is not only a useful asset to the Police Department, but has also helped increase community engagement. Support Services Manager Miller and Leo frequently attend community events, fostering a relationship with the community through playful interaction. To stay up to date with Leo's adventures, you can follow him on Instagram at @OPPD_K9_Leo.

Leo first arrived to his new home in Orland Park in September 2021 after training at Paws & Stripes, a rehabilitation program based in Florida. A part of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, the Paws & Stripes College is a dog obedience program implemented to help save the lives of dogs in the Brevard County Animal Shelter. Shelter dogs are paired with trained, and carefully selected, jail inmates who use voice and hand signals to train them. The training ensures that all of the dogs are housebroken and learn basic obedience skills, which increases the odds of adoption. Within this program, selected canines qualify for an advanced training program to serve as Law Enforcement Therapy Dogs. Orland Park Assistant Support Services Manager Rich Miller also underwent training as part of the program in order to become Leo’s trainer. The Police Department’s new therapy dog was given the name Leo which pays homage to the Orland Park Law Enforcement Organization. He has been trained to comfort

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VILLAGE OF ORLAND PARK | FISCAL YEAR 2022 BUDGET IN BRIEF