On Thursday morning, January 26, Dearborn Police Chief Issa Shahin, Corporal Mylinda Laws, and City of Dearborn Television (CDTV) were in attendance with members of the FAMD at the Maryann Wright Animal Adoption & Education Center to see a Goldendoodle puppy off to his new home and role as a police therapy dog. They have temporarily given him the name and rank of Major.

“Police Chief Issa Shahin had mentioned he was thinking of getting a therapy dog for the department but it had to meet his criteria of a non-shedding, dog. Tall order for a shelter! But, a few days later, a 10-week-old Goldendoodle pup was brought in by an owner to surrender.  The family had gotten the dog from a breeder but found out they had no time for a puppy.  We (FAMD) contacted the Chief and he quickly put together a plan so they could adopt the pup.  One of their detectives, Corporal Mylinda Laws, who works in child cases, stepped up.  She had adopted from us before, has a couple of children and another dog, and a cat.  Perfect match.  She also had a trained therapy dog that recently passed at 14 years old,” says FAMD Chief Operating Officer Elaine Greene.

“(Laws) is in the process of receiving specialized training to work with support animals and to train the Police Department’s newest employee, who will serve as the department’s very first emotional support and therapy K9. Another first? This is the very first time the rank of Major has been given at the Dearborn Police Department!
His role is critical in that he will be helping members of the public who come in with a traumatic experience, and he will assist officers who may have had a hard shift or who might just need a friendly paw.
A public naming contest is coming soon, so stay tuned to the Police Department’s social media accounts for further details!” From DPD’s official Facebook post.

See the CDTV special video HERE.