The Summit Emergency Communications Center in Tallmadge has added a four-legged team member to help support their dispatchers and staff. Archie, an English Labrador therapy and facility dog, officially joined the SECC team after completing specialized training.
The new facility dog was made possible through funding from the Bluecoats of Summit County and provided by the Hero Academy, a nonprofit organization that trains service and facility dogs for veterans, first responders and community members.
Archie was paired with SECC’s Nicole Vaughan, and the duo completed an intensive week-long training program at the Hero Academy’s campus in Fredericksburg, Virginia. The training prepared them to work together in the high-stress environment of emergency communications.
Valley Animal Hospital will provide Archie’s veterinary care, while the Summit County Executive’s Office Division of Animal Control donated food and supplies for the therapy dog.
According to the announcement from SECC Director David O’Neal, Archie’s presence is already making a positive impact on staff well-being and the center’s overall atmosphere. The facility dog program aims to provide emotional support for dispatchers who handle emergency calls around the clock.
The Summit Emergency Communications Center serves multiple communities throughout Summit County, handling 911 calls and coordinating emergency response for police, fire and EMS services.
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