VIDEO: The Walla Walla Fire Department has introduced Wally, a 3-month-old golden retriever, as a new station dog and community engagement canine. Wally is the department’s second station pet in 131 years. The first was a white bulldog named Sport in 1895. Captain Maine said the department had wanted to add a crisis and community engagement canine for a long time. “We had talked about instituting a crisis and community engagement canine for a long time. We want him to go out and see people. He went to a middle school earlier today and was playing with some kids and everything,” Maine said.
Wally’s position was fully funded by the University of Washington School of Social Work and its Behavioral Health Crisis Outreach Response and Education program. Captain Maine said Wally still needed training before he could begin working as a certified service dog. “Once he’s certified, he’ll be, a working service dog able to go on airplanes and everything. So, you know, we want to just really embed him in the community and all different facets as much as we can,” Maine said.
KNDO-TV NBC 23 Yakima
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