​Meet Charlie (a therapy dog with the Mount Prospect Police Department), Oliver (a therapy dog in training with the Barrington Police Department), and Dora (a therapy dog in training with the Chicaldren's Advocacy Center of NW Chicago). All of these amazing dogs were fostered through and received specialized training through SOUL Harbour Ranch to become therapy dogs. They provide comfort and emotional support to the department staff and the community. They are a benchmark for the fabulous dogs and mentorship we can provide! 

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SOUL Harbour Ranch sought out sponsorships and/or grant money in the amount of $5000 to pay for acquiring/adopting a healthy puppy or dog, plus initial veterinary care and for therapy training costs.​

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MPPD, BPD and CAC all have a designated handler for the dog (someone in the department willing to take on the responsibility of having a dog at the station AND at home) . Accommodations are made at the station for the dog if the staff/handler is not available (a dog room, and/or other designated handler/staff). The dog is a part of the Department during the day, impacting staff and the community. After work is done, then the dog goes home with the handler and is a part of their family.​

 

There are many logistics to think about when having a facility dog, such as station insurance, overtime pay for training outside office hours, costs associated food, bedding and toys, plus ongoing veterinary care and training (which never stops!)

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We provide ongoing mentorship, training and assistance with "mock" therapy testing to ensure the teams pass national therapy testing standards. See our 2025 Therapy Animal Initiative, made possible through a grant from the Barrington Area Community Foundation. Our certified dog trainer Lu Anne Smith is second to none and use positive training techniques. (She also oversees all of the training through the Animal-Assisted Therapy program at Northwest Community Hospital and the training through Chicagoland Dog Rescue). We also encourage teams to join us as volunteers with the dog and become a part of our SOUL Harbour Ranch Therapy Animal Program! (see our volunteer Deputy Chief Brian Spolar and his therapy dog Grady. They are also our volunteers!)

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Our Puppies with a Purpose Program impacts your department and your community through SOUL: Sharing of Unconditional Love...it's what our therapy animals do best, and what YOUR future therapy dog could be doing for for your department and community!

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