'Going to help out a lot of people.' News 12 meets K-9 Jake, first Trumbull police wellness dog
The now 13-month-old puppy joined the department about a week ago.
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Police dogs serving alongside officers is a familiar sight, but at the Trumbull Police Department, K-9 Jake won't be tracking criminals.
“He is a wellness canine for the Trumbull Police Department and for the community,” said Officer Caitlin Bachiocchi, Jake’s handler.
His job is a first for the force—to be a friend when a fellow officer or anyone else could use one.
“He's going to be a big help for mental health within the town, and he's going to be a big support for the police department. Definitely needed for situations we're going to be responding to,” Bachiocci explained.
The now 13-month-old puppy joined the department about a week ago.
“He is a goofball,” Bachiocci said with a laugh.
Jake now lives with Bachiocchi but was raised in a New York prison through Puppies Behind Bars, an organization that trains incarcerated individuals to raise service dogs for wounded war veterans and first responders, facility dogs for police departments, and explosive-detection canines for law enforcement.
He knows plenty of commands including sit, shake, high five, salute, peekaboo and his favorite, kiss.
“A typical day right now is that he's on patrol, but we are going in and out of the community and seeing everybody in the police department, going to EMS and just kind of stopping in and saying hi,” Bachiocchi told News 12.
Upcoming assignments include providing emotional support and reducing stress after traumatic incidents, helping those responding to crime and impacted by it.
“Jake is a loving dog. He loves belly rubs. He is honestly the sweetest dog, very calm. He's definitely going to help out a lot of people, and I'm very excited to get him started,” Bachiocchi said.
The community can keep up with Jake’s time on the job by following his account on Instagram.
PRIOR COVERAGE: Trumbull police welcomes first wellness K-9
