Buffalo PD welcomes newest member

Rescue dog receives second chance, offers support to Buffalo community, law enforcement

 

Who has four paws, eyes that stare deep into the soul, and a knack for swiping bratwurst and snacks when no one is looking? That would be Luna, the newest member of the Buffalo Police Department.

   When Luna isn’t claiming the comfiest seat in the break room, chasing her toy down the hallway, or ringing her potty bell on the door to go outside to play, she’s working hard to become the best supportive pup she can be for the PD and Buffalo community.

 

Luna’s Adoption

 

   Finding a dog to help serve the community as a comfort during traumatic situations and a way for law enforcement to engage with residents has always been a dream for the local department; numerous studies have even shown how petting a dog lowers a person’s cortisol levels (stress hormone) and greatly increases the feel-good hormone called oxytocin.

   The opportunity to welcome a dog into the department would not only benefit the officers and community, but would also offer a second chance for a rescue dog looking for a forever home.

   Enter Luna.

   It wasn’t hard for the Labrador/Rottweiler mix, who is about two years old, to win over the hearts of the Buffalo PD. The humane society in Golden Valley had reached out to the department in January after Luna had been transported up from the south, either Texas or Louisiana, in hopes of a better chance of being adopted. After receiving the call, Officers Ben Myhro and Mark Brown went to the society the next day to meet her.

   “She was so calm, and wasn’t hyper,” Myhro shared. “She was very approachable.”

   Knowing they couldn’t leave without her, Brown began texting Chief Pat Budke, who was back in Buffalo at a City Council meeting. After receiving the go-ahead, Luna was soon on her way to her new home.

 

Coming Home

 

   As it is with most dogs coming home, the department’s response to Luna was one of excitement.

   “The whole department loved her,” Myhro said. “She wasn’t outgoing at first; you could tell she wasn’t used to that many people paying attention to her. But after a week or so, she lightened up and started to play more, and you could tell she knew that this was home.”

   One of the first steps in Luna’s second chance at a happy life was giving her a new name; her previous one from the shelter was “Vixen.” An email was sent out to collect suggestions, and after voting for the favorites, it came down to “Luna” or “Sadie,” with “Luna” ultimately chosen.

   With a brand-new name and fresh start, Luna also began the process of adjusting to living at the police department.

   “Whoever’s here keeps an eye on her,” Myrho said. “There’s bells on the front door so she can indicate when she wants to go outside.”

   A schedule was also made to ensure she has food and water, as well as walks and playtime. Whether it’s a trip to the dog park or a walk down to What’s the Scoop? for a pup cone, the department is doing their part to make her feel comfortable in her new environment. Luna most likely caught on to the special, welcoming treatment, as she has now claimed the comfiest chair in the break room and prime hangout spots.

 

Training

 

   As Luna prepares to serve the community, it was important that she went through training to instill the ability to follow directions and promote a sense of loyalty and respect; Myhro has been taking her to classes at Leader of the Pack, and she recently passed the obedience portion.

   “They’re getting ready for the therapy part next,” Myhro shared. “They don’t have a specific class right now because of COVID, so they’re organizing it just with us to help us get her certified.”

    Once training is complete, Luna would have the skills and knowledge to assist officers in a variety of events, whether that’s simply by being out and about in the community, visiting local nursing homes, or offering emotional support when officers respond to traumatic situations.

    While there isn’t a set timeline, Myrho and the rest of the department are eager to get her out into the community soon, hopefully by mid-May.

 

Luna’s Impact

 

   Within the few short months since Luna came home to the PD, she has already made an impact with the laughter and comfort she offers.

   “I left some brats out on the table in the break room, and then we got a call,” Myhro shared. “On the way back, one of the sergeants was in the office and said we needed to pick up more brats because she ate them.”

   It would seem that her arrival was perfect timing, as soon after, the Buffalo community would experience the horrific event at the Crossroads Allina Clinic, and she was ready and waiting to comfort her family.

   “The timing of her coming here was really good,” Brown said. “Unfortunately, we went through the traumatic event, and we at the department had debriefing meetings. She was in there during the meetings, and she made a point to go to every single officer, and just kind of nuzzled up to them. Her doing that, and how she passed from one officer to another within the department, is one of those traits she is gifted with. She likes to go see everyone and make sure they’re getting attention, too.”

   Chief Budke also witnessed the comfort she is able to provide when he walked into the station on Feb. 10, the day after the Allina shooting.

   “I walked into an office, and I saw one of the officers who had been on the scene [at the clinic], sitting on her bed, sitting next to her and talking with her,” Budke shared. “It helps us internally, giving us someone who’s not going to judge you, but just gives everything a dog offers.”

   Even within the aftermath of the tragic event, Luna didn’t fail to provide some much-needed laughter.

   “The Mayor put some soup together for us,” Budke said. “When I took the cover off, I realized I didn’t have a spoon. It’s sitting on my desk, so I go into the break room to get one and talked to Mark Brown. I make my way back to my office, and Luna has her paws up by the bowl, and she’s actively eating the soup; she thought it was really good. That was funny enough, but what was more priceless to me, was I took the bowl and spoon and just started eating! Mark Brown can’t be surprised very often, but that did it. She gave us an opportunity to laugh!”

 

Serving the Community

 

   As Luna continues to adjust to her new role and home, she’ll soon be out and interacting more with the community.

   “The idea is to, generally, use her in whatever way we can, as much as we can, and as often as we can,” Budke said.

   Meanwhile, Luna will happily accept any toys and treats that people want to drop off at the station and enjoys seeing new people and dogs outside.

   “If there’s one trait you can tell from her being her, it’s that you can tell that she must have had something happen in her past, because she’s very thankful to be here.”

   Be sure to keep an eye out for Luna at future community events, or simply out on a walk around town; just be sure to keep a close watch on your food!

 

Quote

“It helps us internally, giving us someone who’s not going to judge you, but just give everything a dog offers.”

 

~ Buffalo PD Chief Pat Budke ~

 

Publication: 

The Drummer and The Wright County Journal Press

PO Box 159
108 Central Ave.
Buffalo MN 55313

www.thedrummer.com

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