The Susanville Police Department has a new member of their team to help lower stress levels among officers and staff. Elliott, the Therapeutic Companion k9 Officer, has quite the backstory.
In 2021, he was abandoned by a truck driver while delivering at the Herlong base. Night shift workers noticed a dog roaming around, but he wouldn’t come to anyone who called him. Officer Greer responded to the call early in the morning and found the dog shivering and starving in the 8-degree cold. He offered Elliott food, water, and a warm back seat, where he became a temporary shift partner for the day.
While owners were attempting to be found, Elliott was fostered by officer Ariana Bollinger. Yet no one ever came forward. Officer Bollinger adopted the pup at only one year old. He now loves attending the Police Department and greets everyone with morning sausages. He has a daily routine of visiting specific officers for his gourmet meals and even has a favorite snack – jelly beans – and will spit out the flavors he doesn’t like.
As a Therapeutic Companion Officer, Elliott’s duty is to help relieve the stress factors that come with the department’s role. He is always ready to meet an officer or staff member with a nudge of his nose to let them know that the day can always get better.
Now at two years old, he brings smiles to many and is an essential member of the team.
