In a modest initiative to soothe the stress of law enforcement work, the Coon Rapids Police Department has taken on a new, furry team member named Gizmo. The nearly three-year-old black lab is the department's inaugural wellness dog, brought aboard to support the emotional health of officers and staff members. Gizmo's role in the department is as a furry facilitator of positivity in an occupation that can often be laden with tension and adversity.
Officer John Ormston serves as Gizmo's handler, and together, they maintain a presence that's both warm and inviting, with toys adorning his desk and frequent strolls through the precinct. Gizmo, donated by Can Do Canines, a group recognized for their proficient service dogs, underwent training specifically catered to the needs within a police department setting. His skills include providing deep pressure therapy by laying on laps, a gesture that delivers a tangible sense of relief and comfort to whom it's gifted.
The companionship and morale-boosting symbolism that Gizmo brings to the police department were on display when Officer Ormston, and Officer Emily Giese, another dog handler, presented Gizmo to the Coon Rapids City Council on October 1. According to a statement from the Coon Rapids Police Department, Gizmo's induction is still in its initial phase, having just marked two months of service.
Ormston highlights the daily dose of positivity Gizmo provides, "He's here for our officers and our other staff just to promote wellness and overall bring some positivity to the department in a job that sometimes can be difficult," he told the City Council. Right now, Gizmo's presence is mainly within the precinct's walls, but there's a plan to extend his reach. Officer Ormston conveyed that, in the future, Gizmo's support could be brought out to public events, where the wider community can benefit from his innate wellness-promoting attributes. In a line of work where the weight of duty can press heavily on the human spirit, a companion like Gizmo offers a simple, yet profoundly effective balm.
