The Southbury Police Department is excited to announce that we have added a station dog to our team! Our station dog, Luke Jacob “Luke”, began his police career in 2022 with Deputy
Chief Cifone at the Southington Police Department after being donated through the Jacob Perkins Memorial Fund. He was paired with Deputy Chief Cifone through the K9s for Warriors program and quickly became a beloved presence in the community.
The K9s For Warriors program is a nonprofit organization that provides trained service dogs to military veterans suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, and other service-related conditions. The program primarily rescues dogs from shelters, trains them, and pairs them with veterans to help improve their quality of life. By offering these service dogs at no cost, K9s For Warriors helps veterans regain independence, confidence, and emotional support.
When dogs from the K9s For Warriors program are deemed unsuitable for service work whether due to temperament, medical issues, or other factors, they are often placed in
alternative roles. Some are adopted out as pets, while others become station dogs at police departments, fire stations, or other community organizations. These station dogs provide
emotional support, boost morale, and help strengthen community relationships, much like Luke is now doing for the Southbury Police Department.
During his time in Southington, Luke made a tremendous impact, comforting and supporting officers and residents. Now, he will continue that mission here in Southbury. As our station
dog, Luke will offer emotional support and therapy to our department and the community.
Luke will play a key role in strengthening community relations by providing comfort and support to residents and officers alike. He will visit schools, parks & recreation events, the
library, and senior center, offering companionship and stress relief to children, the elderly, and those in need. Luke will also be present at public events, helping to foster positive interactions between the police and the community. Additionally, he will provide emotional support to officers, promoting wellness within the department.
We look forward to the positive impact Luke will have at the Police Department and in the Southbury community!