St. Charles Police Department swears in new comfort dog

Those attending the St. Patrick’s Parade in downtown St. Charles on March 12 will get to see the newest member of the St. Charles Police Department – Charlie, a 1-year old Golden Retriever/German Shepherd mix.

Charlie and his handler, St. Charles police officer Meghan Kramer, will lead the parade. Charlie, who was sworn in at the Feb. 22 St. Charles City Council meeting, is a Comfort K-9.

“Charlie will serve this community as a facility dog and go out on calls where Charlie can calm victims, assist with victims and witnesses and join in on community events,” St. Charles Police Chief James Keegan said during the meeting.

Charlie has been with the department since June 2021 and already is making an impact. Along with helping crime victims and witnesses, Charlie is also helping first responders cope with the stresses of the job.

“I’ve never seen so many smiling faces in the police department,” Keegan said. “Often times, some of the groups within our department almost argue and fight for Charlie to hang out with them during the day. It’s really something special.”

Round Lake-based Canines 4 Comfort donated Charlie to the department. Canines 4 Comfort is a nonprofit organization that trains and places psychiatric service dogs with individuals diagnosed with emotional disabilities and therapeutic facility dogs with schools and first responder teams.

The organization also donated the training for Charlie and Kramer. Charlie and Kramer train together for at least one hour every day and attend weekly trainings through Canines 4 Comfort.

Doggie Divine Pet Salon in St. Charles is donating Charlie’s grooming services and St. Charles-based Gateway Veterinary Clinic is also donating its services. When Charlie is not on duty, he will be living with Kramer and her husband, Dan, at their home.

Kramer thanked her husband for his willingness to take in Charlie, especially since the couple already has four dogs.

“For him to take another one in is very meaningful for me,” Kramer said. “He’s very supportive of this program. He said that we can have one more dog because of what this dog will be doing with our community.”