11 Therapy Canine Teams Graduate in Illinois Crisis Response Program
Summary
The Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board (ILETSB), in partnership with the Cook County Sheriff's Office (CCSO), graduated the inaugural cohort of the nation's first Crisis Response Therapy Canine Certification Program on April 22, 2026. The 11 certified therapy canine teams representing seven Illinois agencies completed rigorous training in crisis intervention, behavioral health awareness, and canine-handler coordination. The program establishes standardized training guidelines for therapy canines working alongside law enforcement in mental health calls, community engagement, and post-trauma response situations.
“Today, the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board (ILETSB), in partnership with the Cook County Sheriff's Office (CCSO), marked a historic milestone with the graduation of the inaugural cohort of the nation's first Crisis Response Therapy Canine Certification Program.”
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What changed
The Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board (ILETSB) and Cook County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) have graduated the inaugural cohort of the nation's first Crisis Response Therapy Canine Certification Program. Eleven certified therapy canine teams from seven agencies completed the program, which establishes standardized training and operational guidelines for therapy canines deployed alongside law enforcement in crisis situations.
For law enforcement agencies, this program represents a new model for integrating therapy canine teams into crisis response, mental health calls, and post-trauma support. Agencies seeking similar capabilities should review the ILETSB certification program requirements and consider whether adopting standardized therapy canine protocols could enhance their community policing and mental health response capabilities.
Scheduled event
- Date
- 2026-04-22
- Location
- Chicago, IL
Archived snapshot
Apr 22, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
Release Date: 04/22/2026
Inaugural Cohort Graduates from Nation’s First Crisis Response Therapy Canine Program
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 22, 2026
CONTACT PTB.Media@illinois.gov Graduation marks major milestone in innovative, trauma-informed approach to public safety
PHOTOS AVAILABLE HERE
Chicago, IL — Today, the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board (ILETSB), in partnership with the Cook County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO), marked a historic milestone with the graduation of the inaugural cohort of the nation’s first Crisis Response Therapy Canine Certification Program. The inaugural class features 11 certified therapy canine teams representing seven agencies across Illinois.
The program, launched to better equip law enforcement agencies with tools to respond to individuals in crisis, provides specialized training for therapy canine teams to support de-escalation, mental health response, and trauma-informed policing. Today’s graduates represent a new model for public safety that prioritizes compassion, connection, and community trust.
“This inaugural graduating class represents a meaningful step forward in how we approach public safety,” said Sean Smoot, Chairman of the Board at ILETSB. “ILETSB introduced Trooper, its first therapy dog supporting officer mental health resiliency, as an initial step, and this program builds on that work by integrating certified therapy canine teams into crisis response. We are giving officers and communities new tools to safely and effectively support individuals experiencing mental health challenges.”
The certification program is the first of its kind in the United States, establishing standardized training and operational guidelines for therapy canines working alongside law enforcement. Participants completed rigorous instruction focused on crisis intervention, behavioral health awareness, and canine-handler coordination in high-stress environments.
Today’s graduates will return to their respective agencies prepared to deploy therapy canine teams in a range of situations, including mental health calls, community engagement, and post-trauma response.
The inaugural graduating class of Crisis Response Therapy Canine Program includes the following certified teams:
Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board (ILETSB)
- Deputy Director Jennifer Wooldridge and K9 Trooper
Cook County Sheriff’s Office
- Director Jerry Roman and K9 Zilly
- Jacquelyn Hedderman and K9 Winston
- Edgar Ortiz Antunez and K9 Buddy
- Veronica Grigorio and K9 Petals
Central Illinois Police Training Center, (MTU 7)
- Brian Fengel and K9 Ghost
Kendall County
- Stewart Blouin and K9 Snow
Orland Park Police Department
- Gordon Przislicki and K9 Holly
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Police Department
- Lorenzo Curtis Schwartzkopf and K9 Chase
- Tyson Wagner and K9 Max
Worth Police Department
- Mike Cozzi and K9 Louie
“My Office has worked to address mental health challenges in our communities, from providing Crisis Intervention Training for all Cook County Sheriff’s officers to establishing a virtual co-responder program,” said Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart. “So, we are incredibly proud to have ILETSB partner with us in creating this first of its kind crisis response training for therapy K9s. These certified teams will only enhance law enforcement response to mental health calls.” The Crisis Response Therapy Canine Certification Program is part of ongoing efforts by ILETSB and CCSO to expand innovative, evidence-based approaches to public safety and strengthen trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. For more information about the program, visit here.
- Inaugural Cohort Graduates from Nation’s First Crisis Response Therapy Canine Program
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