City approves first police therapy dog

Green River will be the first city in Wyoming to receive a police therapy dog following an approval by the Green River City Council last week.

The Council approved a $6,000 grant to purchase Buddy, a black Labrador retriever, who will serve as the department’s therapy dog.

Tom Jarvie, chief of police for Green River, said the department received several donations for the therapy dog, including a $1,250 from Jason Barrera, a nine-year-old child.

“The community has really latched onto this program and the department is grateful for the support,” Jarvie said in a press release.

Buddy is being trained in Cody and Martha Holzgrafe, a detective with the GRPD who works on juvenile cases, will be his handler.

The department expects Buddy, who is only four months old now, to join the force in June.

Holzgrafe said it’s important for Buddy to be both well trained and socialized when he arrives.

Mayor Pete Rust commented on Buddy’s acquisition, saying the therapy dog project is “very exciting.”

He said Buddy will provide green river with a resource the city currently does not have.