(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Kenosha, Wis. – The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) has a new four-legged recruit. Sheriff David W. Zoerner announced today the addition of K9 Joy, a law enforcement peer support dog, to the department. K9 Joy’s handler, Detective Adam Barnard, is a 10-year veteran of the sheriff’s office, currently serving in the detective bureau as a general assignment detective.
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Detective Barnard also plays a key role as a lead investigator on the Major Crash Assistance Team (MCAT), a specialized unit comprised of expert accident investigators from across Kenosha County. Each evening, Joy will return home with Barnard and live with his family, further strengthening their bond as partners in both work and daily life.
A Unique Role in Law Enforcement
Unlike traditional K9s trained for search-and-rescue or drug detection, K9 Joy’s primary responsibility is officer wellness and emotional support. Law enforcement peer support dogs provide crucial mental health benefits for first responders, including:
- Reducing heightened short-term anxiety for officers involved in critical incidents.
- Assisting with daily wellness and stress management protocols.
- Boosting department morale and fostering a sense of community.
- Enhancing community policing programs by serving as an ambassador for positive law enforcement interactions.
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
A Perfect Match for the Job
K9 Joy was provided by Blueberry Cottage Labradoodles, an organization dedicated to pairing law enforcement and first responders with specially trained therapy dogs.
“We love to work with local police departments, first responders, and district attorney offices to pair them with a dog that can help in our community,” Blueberry Cottage Labradoodles stated. “School or community resource officers are excellent candidates to have one of our labradoodles join them on duty.”
According to the organization, labradoodles were originally bred as therapy dogs, making them an excellent choice for emotional support roles. They are known for their:
- Exceptional therapy and service work.
- Loving, playful, and gentle temperament.
- Strong bond with children and other animals.
- Allergy-friendly, low-shedding coats.
- Generally lower odor compared to many other breeds.
Strengthening Officer Wellness and Community Relations
K9 Joy’s addition to KCSO marks a progressive step in prioritizing mental health and emotional resilience among law enforcement personnel. As an integral part of the department’s wellness initiatives, Joy will not only provide comfort to officers facing high-stress situations but also serve as a bridge between law enforcement and the community.
With the growing recognition of the mental health challenges first responders face, programs like this are essential in ensuring officers have the emotional support they need to continue serving the community effectively.
Sheriff Zoerner and KCSO believe that K9 Joy will be a paws-itively impactful addition to the department, bringing both comfort and connection to those who need it most.
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
9 Responses
Cool! Bring your dog to work day-everyday!
Why does this qualify as news??
Yeah yeah cute dog….these are just stupid opportunities for a photo shoot like half these stupid “conferences” and “training” we see stories of.
Just fight crime, please…..
Do you know the stress, anxiety, fear, and other downsides of being a police officer? Do you know how many officer suicides there are a year? This is a small investment that helps hardworking and brave men and women. There’s nothing bad about this. It’s all good
I don’t doubt that there are several police officer suicides each year along with a lot of stress, etc….but let’s be honest, this dog isn’t helping with that stuff. It’s a PR piece and that’s fine, it is what it is.
Also, wasn’t this the same Sheriff’s Department you were criticizing for letting the Kmiecs run rampant a few weeks ago?
Is Kevin not allowed to praise a team AND criticize them too? What are you on about?
Sad they opted to buy a $3000 mutt.
OMG… Give it a rest!
What is sad that people can’t see the positive in this story. Turn off the national media and look around, there is good everywhere. Thanks Kevin, we need light, in all this darkness.
Yes, I agree! All of The negative comments about police officers and not one of them knows what they go through on a day to day basis. Most of you that run your mouth about it wouldn’t last a week! I wouldnt want to be a cop in this day and age. There are good and bad apples in EVERY profession. Welcome Joy!