Today, Indiana Borough Police unveiled their latest upgrade to their Comfort K-9 Program with one of their police cars being fitted to be a comfort K-9 vehicle.
(PFC Jeffrey Hoag with Comfort K-9 officer Axel showing off where Axel sits in the upgraded police car. Photo by Josh Widdowson)
Police were able to convert one of their patrol vehicles so that Comfort K-9 Axel can ride along with his partner, Patrolman First Class Jeffrey Hoag. The vehicle includes temperature sensors that will activate fans to cool things off if it gets too warm for Axel. The car’s exterior has also been upgraded so people can identify it. This includes a door warning that reads “Comfort K-9: Ask to Pet” on the door.
The money for the car’s upgrades came from the Indiana County District Attorney’s office. DA Robert Manzi said that they used money seized in drug investigations to pay for the equipment.
Axel’s training continues, and he’s already had some comfort assignments in the Community. Patrolman Hoag told one story of how Axel helped comfort a child during a domestic dispute reported at the 4th Street Sheetz about a month ago.
(From L to R: Indiana Borough Police Chief Justin Schawl, Kelly Coleman of Mutts of Merit, PFC Jeff Hoag with Axel, District Attorney Bob Manzi and Assistant District Attorney Gina Force pose with the upgraded K-9 patrol car. Photo by Josh Widdowson)
The goal is to have Axel achieve K-9 Good Citizen certification through his training with Mutts of Merit, and to eventually get his therapy dog certification, and to have him work not just in Indiana Borough but throughout the region where comfort may be needed in tense situations for not just the victims of crime, but for the officers who may need a lift.
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