The youngest member of the Woodland Police Department got high praise during an impromptu performance evaluation last week.
During its July 3 meeting, the Woodland City Council unanimously approved letting mayor Will Finn sign paperwork for a $5,000 grant from the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission. The grant will fund the care of Bolo, Woodland police’s wellness animal.
Arriving in April 2022 as a weeks-old puppy, Bolo hit the scene at that year’s Planters Days. More recently, he was present at this year’s event, and he also made stops at local schools for end of the year activities.
Bolo, alongside his handler, Woodland Police Lt. Jen Ortiz, has become a regular fixture at community events. So far, Bolo’s care has been covered outside of local taxpayer funds. The $5,000 grant the council approved is reimbursable, meaning although the city will pay up front, the Criminal Justice Training Commission will pay the city back on what’s spent for Bolo’s program.
Woodland Police Chief Jim Kelly said although Bolo’s only been on the job for about a year, he’s already had a positive impact for the department.
“I can tell you that since Bolo has been at the (police department), complaints about officers in the field has gone down tenfold,” Kelly said.
Because of Woodland’s experience having a wellness animal, several other departments have implemented their own program, Kelly said.
Though he’s a focal point for the community at large, the chief said officers are still doing what they are sworn to do in law enforcement and not distracted by the “four-legged fella.”
“We’re not just hanging out playing with the dog,” Kelly said.
Bolo shows his skill when officers are feeling the weight of their work, the chief said.
“He’s pretty keen because he knows when an officer is feeling stressed,” Kelly said.
From his time at Cowlitz County Fire District 3, Councilor Aaron Alderman recalled the fire chief’s dog was usually at the station. The dog proved a comfort for when firefighters were called out on especially difficult calls.
“I thank God every day that dog was there for me when I got there, because he kind of takes your mind off of it a little bit,” Alderman said.
He mentioned Bolo had him smiling within the first 30 seconds Alderman met Woodland’s furriest staff.
“That dog is awesome,” Alderman said.
The grant is specifically for “wellness programs,” according to a city staff report, which covers a range of aspects from physical and mental health supports and services, to stress management and proper nutrition.
Councilor Melissa Doughty noted although the grant is directed at officer wellness, a program like Bolo’s has greater outreach than just the police force.
“This grant helps for the cost of Bolo, but Bolo is received by the whole community,” Doughty said.
Alderman said the wellness animal program is helpful in youth outreach for the police.
“I want the kids to look at the officers as somebody they can trust when they’re in need or they’re scared,” Alderman said.
Councilor DeeAnna Holland likened the wellness animal program to Shop With a Cop, Woodland’s annual holiday event where officers from departments around the region are paired with kids to pick out presents at Walmart. The programs serve as community-building tools, especially for youth.
“Kids don’t always come into contact with law enforcement under the best of circumstances,” Holland said.
Holland brought up that Ortiz does not receive any extra compensation for taking Bolo home when she’s off her shift.
If it came to where the city had to run the program with taxpayer funds, Councilor Monte Smith wanted to see the program re-evaluated.
“I think it’s been a pretty good program so far,” Smith said.
Only a year and change old, Smith mentioned that Bolo’s therapy dog training still isn’t complete.
“I would like to see it play out and see what the long-term benefit is,” Smith said.
