Crime Trackers: The force is strong with PCSD’s newest therapy dogs

Published on November 2, 2018

A new and innovative program to help inmates and staff cope with the pressures of working in a depressing environment.

It is the first time the state is utilizing man’s best friend.

Instead of battling the dark side, Luke and Leia have joined the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and are assigned to the jail as therapy dogs.

They have been in training for nine months.

Corrections officer John Dickinson told News 4 Tucson the brother and sister team have gone through distraction training to make sure they are not aggressive.  So far so good.

The dogs go into pods and give officers a break by conducting rounds.  That is when some of theinmates’ stress levels go down.

Corrections officer E. Gracia a dog lover. She said she thoroughly enjoys when the dogs come into her pod she said it makes everybody happy. She also added the dogs have a calming effect on the inmates. Read More