Leesburg Police Pilot service dog program

In mid-October the Leesburg Police Department has grown by one. Mooney, a one-year-old Golden Retriever, is the first ever crisis response canine. Mooney comes to the Leesburg Police Department at no cost from Thin Line Service Dogs (TLSD), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Public safety-first responders and dispatchers are exposed to extended work hours, various shifts, and critical incidents. These factors can impose undue stress on police personnel. The department values the importance of behavioral health services in the public safety field, which can include the use of certified canine comfort services.

Mooney is specifically bred and trained to identify people struggling with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. He has been partnered with Officer Rzewnicki, an 11-year member of LPD and a member of the department’s Peer Support Team. As part of their duties, Mooney and Officer Rzewnicki will attend departmental debriefs and critical incidents to support staff, which will in turn also allow Mooney to gain valuable training. The duo will attend monthly roll-call trainings and check in on staff each workday.

Thin Line Service Dogs’ mission is to provide service dogs to First Responders and Veterans at no cost. Their goal is to train dogs to enhance the lives of the heroes who have selflessly served. TLSD selects and trains assistant, mental health, medical health, and facility service dogs.

Mooney will remain with Officer Rzewnicki for one year while he completes his second and final year of training. During this time, he will reside with Officer Rzewnicki and join her at work each shift. Upon completion of training, Mooney will go to his “forever” person, a previously identified first responder or veteran that experiences PTSD. At the conclusion of this pilot program, LPD will conduct a program evaluation to determine if the program should continue or be expanded.

“TLSD is excited to announce their partnership with the Leesburg Police Department in the raising of Mooney,” said Anjanette Montano, co-founder of Thin Line Service Dogs. Placing a dog for training in a department allows the department to directly benefit from the dog such as morale visits and the as needed basis of Peer Support and/or Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Team attendance. Being able to utilize Mooney during his journey to become a Service Dog will directly impact the department. This partnership aligns with our Mission of Serving Those Who Serve Us.”

“The mental health of those who serve is of the utmost importance,” advised Leesburg Chief of Police Thea Pirnat. “I am thrilled to have Mooney join the LPD family as yet another tool to assist our staff as part of our overall wellness program. This crisis response canine pilot program will both support our staff and enhance our ability to better serve the community.”

Mooney is named in honor of Stafford County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Sheriff Jason Mooney, who died in the line of duty on Oct. 19, 2007, while responding to a crash on I-95. Deputy Mooney also served as a U.S. Marine Corps Reservist, having served one tour of duty in Iraq. He additionally was an active volunteer member of the Stafford Fire Department. Deputy Mooney was 24 years old.

Those wishing to learn more about TLSD can do so at: https://thinlinesd.org/. Be sure to follow them on social media as they present #MooneyMondays.